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23  WEST  MAIh  STREfeT 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  la.'B'J 

(716)  872-4iO;. 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


^mm 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiaues 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
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the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


L'Institut  a  microfilmd  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6te  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-etre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
una  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mdthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 


□ 

n 
□ 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 

Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagee 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur^e  et/ou  pellicul^e 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  geographiques  en  couleur 


D 
D 
D 


Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaur^es  et/ou  pelliculees 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  d6color6es,  tachet^es  ou  piqu^es 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  detach^es 


D 


Coloured  ink  'i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


v 


Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


G 

n 


Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relie  avec  d'autres  documents 


D 
D 


Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Qualite  inegale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 


D 


a 


Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serree  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int^rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajoutdes 
lors  dune  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  ^tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  ete  filmees. 


n 


Or-'y  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
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ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  filmdes  ck  nouveau  de  facon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


0 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl^mentaires: 


Some  pages  are  photoreproductions. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu^  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


J 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


tails 
>  du 
odifier 
une 
mage 


The  copy  filmud  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  aenerositv  of: 


Library  of  the  Public 
Archives  of  Canada 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


L'exemplaire  filmi  fut  reproduit  grdce  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

La  bibliothdque  des  Archives 
publiques  du  Canada 

Las  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet6  de  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  coders  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  Ail 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  Illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^^  (meaning  'CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END  "), 
whichever  applies. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimde  sont  filmds  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  emprainte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmds  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  —^'  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmds  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  6tre 
reproduit  en  ur.  seul  clich6,  il  est  filmd  d  partir 
de  Tangle  supdrieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m^thode. 


!rrata 
to 


pelure, 
n  d 


□ 


32X 


1 

2 

3 

\   ^   < 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

"^ 


1st  Sefjsion.      ) 


^SENAII^ 


1  Kx,  x)yH' 


L  E  T  T  E  E 


FROM 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR, 


TliAXSMITTIXi;, 


Jn  nsimx.e  to  Senate  resolution  oniarch  27, 1S8S,  nporis  Haiirrto  forti. 

Jicat ions  itjumPu get  iSound. 


May   14,  l>rS:^._Or'l(jrol  to 


Hl.i.-r 


tV-'.iscs. 


)  *''.o   Coii'itiitteo  o;i  Consr  I)<j 


^V.\;;  !*;:t'A!;TMENT, 
WaHkiiKjtoii  Citij,  Mail  lo^  js.ss. 


'>-H   nlHu  ^''^^  ^^^"^  ^^  Knginoers,  as  expro.sse.l  in  Lis  letter  „f  the 

-..tlj  i.U.iio    ,u  regard  to  the  fortilieation  of  the  waters  of  "oiVhu   ir 
^\  aslnuotou  Territory  are  eonenrred  in  l,v  this  De.-art.  ent    ^'''^^''' '''^ 


AVlLLIA.Ar    C.  IvNDlCO'J  T, 
xl:0  Tin-SIDEM'  VllO  TEMPORE  OF  THE  . 

L'xiTED  States  Senate. 


OfFici:  OF  THE  Chief  of  ExGixEERy, 

United  States  Army. 

27     W   'tiIh     Ji    ''^''  ^'V'"^""!  iT''*^^^'^'^  ^^•^"'^te  resoh.tion  of  AFareh 


I'ORTIFICATIOXS    UPON    PIJGET    80i:NI>. 


■^  W 


(locks  1)('  tlinc  '.'stabiislicd  oi-  not.  and  if  so  cstahlislicd,  {li«-  details  of 
tliat  foitilicatioii  will  he  inlliiciKHMl  hy  llic  location  of  tlic  station,  and 
ill  so  far  c;ni  not  lie  dctciinincd  until  the  site  is  dcci<lcd  Hjion.  'I'lic 
naval  station  aside,  i  iici  c  aic  now  points  oj"  (ioniincicial  inipoitanci'  upon 
t  lie  waters  of  I'uuet  Hound  to  lie  delended,  and  Wwso  jioints  will  increa>e 
in  nundieraiid  iiiip<»rlance.  Jii  ad\ance  of  decision  by  proper  antlioiity 
;is  to  tlic  location  of  a  naval  station,  it  can  only  \w  said  here  that  it  will 
simplify  the  (|uestion  to  ha\e  it  so  located  that  the  defense  of  thecitio 
and  towns  on  the  sound  wili  also  deJ'end  the.  station,  'i'his  is  stated 
not  as  deternnnin.u  the  «inestion.  hut  as  one  item  worthy  ol'  considera- 
tion in  that  decision.  Not  only  the  location  of  the  naval  station,  hut 
the  importance  which  it  shall  have  and  the  stren,uth  ol"  the  naval  e,-- 
talilishiiient  connected  thei'ewith  and  lelated  thereto  have  inlluenee  on 
the  fortilication  of  these,  wateis. 

The  entrance  to  Adnnralty  Inlet  is  some  7.")  miles  from  the  (.(;ean. 
most  of  the  distamu'  hein.y  throu;j;h  a  shait  IL'  nnles  and  less  in  width  : 
the  entrance  of  which  is  more  than  J.")H  miles  from  the  mouth  ol'theCo- 
huuUia.  the  neai'cs!  harboi'  of  refu;:e.  Ibi-  hirye  vessels  exterior  to  the 
Strait  of  .luan  de  Fuca  in  oui-  territory.  (Ireat  JJritain  maintains  a  na- 
val establishment  at  l''s(juimault.  on  \'an(!ou\er's  Ishiml,  and  a  naval 
ibrce  iu  the  waters  near,  and  under  jiresent  conditions  this  Ibrce  would 
prevaM  over  any  which  we  could  spare  to  o]>pose  it  in  thai  re^iiion. 

^riie  discussion  of  this  fortification  naturally  covers  the  extreme  con- 
ditions of  no  na\al  establishment,  oi-  Ibrce,  on  our  side,  and  (d'a  stron.y 
na\al  station,  with  a  force  siiflicient  to  prevail  over  any  to  which  it 
nmy  probably  be  o|K]>ose(l  in  those  waters.  In  case  we  possess  no  naval 
s*^ren;itli,  th(^  (piestion  nanow  s  down  to  the  protection  of  the  towns  and 
cities  to  ])re\'eiit  destrnctioii  of  jwoperty  therein  ;  for  unless  our  naval 
tbrce  can  ])i'evail  o\er  that  of  the  enemy,  no  commerce  will  seek  our  ])ort.s 
tlir()u,i'h  such  lonn;'  and  narrow  pnssajics  from  the  sea.  Should  emer- 
ji'ency  arise,  the  most  ])iacticalde  (rourse  would  be  to  ere(!t  earthen  bat- 
teries lor  tliedeleiise  of  Seattle  and  the  '•  Narrows,''  as  this  would  ])ro- 
vide  a  reasonalde  defense  in  the  least  time.  Fortifications  at  these 
])oiiits  would  bi!  ol' value,  too,  as  l'ormiii.u  the  sectond  line  to  a  more  elab- 
orate system. 

.Vs  tlie  interests  concerned  incre.ise  in  extent"their  ])roteclion  shoiihl 
not  be  limited  to  this  second  line,  but  in  addition  a  first  or  princii»al 
line  should  be  occu])ied  furthei'out.  The  power  of  tiie  ordnance  and 
the  ])ei'feetion  of  the  ajipliaiices  of  the  incsent  day  iiermit  the  occupa- 
tion of  the  headlands  Admiralty  Jlead,  Point  Wilson,  and  .Marrowstone 
Point  as  sucli  first  line,  and  the  occujjation  of  botli  tirst  and  second  lines 
should  lie  held  in  view  for  the  time  when  th(>  extent  of  the  interests  to 
be  prtitected  reipiires  it  and  other  considerations  permit. 

The  naval  .station  aside,  then,  the  requirements  of  defense  would  be 
the  lortitleation  of  the  second  line  noted  (the  ocjcupation  of  which  would 
be  specially  applicable  to  emerj'ency),  and  of  the  lirst  line,  in  addition, 
when  the  commercial  and  jiroperty  interests  to  defend  become  j>reat. 

A  naval  station  bein^'  de(!ided  u])on  and  lo(;ated,  the  considerations 
are  extended.  The  effect  woidd  be  to  hasten  the  occupation  of  the  lirst 
line.  The  naval  force  maintained  may  be  relatively  weak  or  snHicient 
to  jirevail  over  that  of  the  enemy  in  the  vicinity  of  WashinjLiton  Sound. 
If  no  naval  force  be  maintained,  that  of  theentniy  need  be  very  little  to 
paraly/e  the  sea  and  coastwise  commerce  of  the  rej;ioii.  As  our  force 
iiKM-eases  that  of  the  enemy  must  iiuirease  to  maintain  its  control,  and 
he  will  thus  have  less  available  force  to  operate  elsewhere;  and  accord- 


FOKTIl-ICATIONS    UPON    I'L'tiET    SOL'NI>. 


3 


in;;'  as  oiii'  stren^i'tli  'ii)i)i().\imatt's  [o  tliat  of  the  ciu'iny  the  second  line 
l)L'('om('.s  of  less  relative  iiDpoitaiiee,  and  it'  our  lorce  be  maintained  at 
sntlieicnt  streiiin'tk  the  ..econd  line  may  not  be  ealh'd  into  itMinisitioii  at 
all,  wliicli  at  lirst  sij;lit  makes  its  occupation  under  su(,*li  circumstanees 
unnecessary.  When  our  naval  force  linally  prevails  o\cr  tiiat  of  the 
4'iiemy  (s(i)>posed  to  be  ihatof  (h-eat  llritain.  possibly  a>;sisted  by  an 
ally),  we  may  assunn^  that  tlu'  enemy's  force  wdl  be  partially  destr(»yed, 
with  a  balance  locked  up  in  the  fortitied  harbor  of  Ivsiiuinniult.  \N'e 
will  ll.cn  have  a  certain  excess  which  maybe  used  elsewhere  That 
excess  will  be  the  j^ieater,  ]»ractieally,  accordin;^'  as  our  hai'bors  in  those 
wateis  and  tln^  naval  station  are  made  secure  by  the  local  defenses. 
Should  occasion  arise  when  all  tiie  naval  foi'cii  we  could  assiMublc  would 
be  needed  elsewhere  i'or  some  desirable  or  neodfid  jmrpose,  our  interests, 
in  those  waters  would  i'»)i' the  time  be  in  the  condition  Itelore  mentiouvMl 
whe:  no  naval  force  is  available,  with  the  addition  that  we  now  have  a 
navy  >ar(l  to  defend,  and  it  is  thus  seen  that  the  se(;ond  line  remains  a 
very  useful  complement  to  the  defense. 

rrojects  for  a  harbor  ot  refu}j;e  in  Juan  tie  ]'''n(!a  Strait  an<l  ior  a  iorti- 
Jied  aiu'hora^e  in  the  ISaii  Juan  Arehipela<;()  have  been  discussed. 

It  is  Ixdieved  that  the  conditions  of  tlie  ])reseut  day  are  unfa\-orable 
to  any  such  Ibrtilied  jiositions  exterior  to  Admiraliy  Inlet.  The  mer- 
eantile  imirine  will  not  seek  our  i)orts  in  that  region  unless  our  naval 
force  ])revails.  in  which  case  it  would  have  no  m-ed  to  seek  a  harlior  of 
refu<;e.  Besides,  with  tln^  exception  of  I'ort  l)is(H)very  there  is  no  har- 
bor on  the  strait  of  snl'llcient  extension  inwardly  to  shield  \essels  from 
the  raiiiic  of  modern  arnuiments,  and  no  attempt  would  be  made  to  reach 
I'ort  Discovery  1'r»)ni  the  sea,  uidess  the  attaiuMH'Ut  of  Adnnralty  Inlet 
were  equally  sure.  As  to  the  Ibrtilied  anchorage  in  the  ar(;hipelago  our 
lleet  wonhl  have  use  for  it  oidy  to  refit  or  resupply,  or  to  evade  a  sn[»e- 
rior  force,  in  all  of  which  eases  Adnnralty  Inlet  ami  the  interior  waters 
would  serve  better  because  of  the  secure  and  unattackable  commuiuca- 
tions  with  the  interioi-  of  the  eouidry.  Under  i)resent  circumstances 
the  following- course  should  betaken  in  reference  to  coast  defense  in  the 
northwest  waters  of  AVashington  Territory. 

(1)  The  sites  lor  the  second  lin(^  of  defense  shr)idd  be  chosen  :  i>lans 
for  the  works  and  for  their  accessories  should  be  prepared,  and  the 
ordnance  accumulated  as  soon  as  the  comlitions  at  our  uu>re  impoi'tant 
])orts  perndt.  This  ordnance  would  be  available  for  the  first  line,  if 
needed. 

(2)  The  region  of  the  first  line  should  be  studied,  and  the  works 
therefor  planned. 

(3)  Discussion  of  the  naval  station  and  decision  as  to  its  location 
should  l)e  made. 

(i)  When  the  ordnance  is  ]>repared,  or  about  "^o  be  provided,  the  naval 
.station  located,  or  the  i)orts  bt'come  of  increased  im])ortauce.  theu  the 
action  (Corresponding  to  thesis  conditious  would  be  taktMi. 

The  copies  of  reports  called  for  in  the  resolution  are  herewitii. 
Very  iesi)ectfullv,  vour  obedient  servant, 

J.  C.   DUANE. 
Brig.  Gen.,  Cliirfof  L'tutlnecrs,     , 

Hon.  William  C.  Endicott, 

l^crrtani  of  W'ir. 


sf 


4  FOKTIFICATIONS    Ul'ON    PUGKT    SOUND. 

IlEADiiUAKTEKS  ])KrAIlT:MEN'l'  OF  THE  CoLT'.MBIA, 

\'<tncourer  Barracks,  Wash.,  December  21.  1SS7. 

Sir:  i  litivr  tlic  lioiior  to  i('i)orf  a  xovy  voiiinikahlo  state  of  iiil'airs  re- 
yaidiii^  till'  so-called  military  leseivations  on  tlio  Piiinct  yoiiiid  watei.s. 

Duiiiifi'  my  visit  to  some  of  these  reservations  a  few  days  a^^o  I  dis- 
covered tliem  occupied  by  tlie  <lwellin^s  and  faims  of  citizens,  in  the 
cases  of  Reservations  >'o.  li  (New  ])nny,-eness),  ^'o.  ]()  (Point  ^^'iIson), 
and  No.  12  (Adndralty  Head),  nearly  the  whole,  of  the  jiround  is  thus 
occupied.  An  investi<iation  dischtsed  the  fact  that  in  some  instances 
])arties  held  palents  liom  the  Government  (d  tlie  linw  the  reservations 
were  set  aside  ;  in  others,  that  the  settlers  occui)ied  the  j^round  at  that 
time,  and  perl'. cted  their  titles  and  had  ])atents  issued  to  then>  after- 
wards, and  in  still  other  cases.  ])atents  were  issued  by  the  (iovernment 
for  portions  of  tlu-se  so-called  reservations  louj;  after  the  reservations 
were  declaied.  As  the  result  of  these  ])atents  is  to  make  the  lands 
private  pro]»erty,  J  have  the  honor  to  rejxjrt  the  matter,  in  view  of  the 
provisions  of  (leneral  Orders  No.  7t,  series  1S(;!>.  In  comi)liaiu;e  with 
the  provision  of  tin?  last  paraf>'rai)h  of  that  order  an  investi,i;ation  is  now 
}ioin<«-  on,  and  as  soon  as  all  the  facts  in  the  cases  are  ascertained  they 
will  he  su!)mitted  for  tlu^  orders  of  the  honorable  Secretary  of  War. 
I  am,  sii-,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

doiIN  (iIBJJON, 

r>ri(/a(lier-(iencral,  Coiimiantliiig. 

The  AD,JUTi\AT-GE^EKAL  U^'ITED  States  Aioiv, 
(through  Ileadciuarters  Division  I'acitic). 


[First  indorsi'iiii'iit.l 
irEAD(,>UAliTEKS  DIVISION  OF  THE  rACIPIC, 

kSan  Fro)>ei.sco,  Col.,  J>eccmhcy  .'>(►,  1S87. 
Respectfully  forwarded  to  the  Adjutant-General  of  the  Army. 

().    O.    IlOWAKD, 

Major- (>ener<(l,  Commanding. 

[Sicoiid  imloi.soiiicnt.l 

IIead(,>uaktePvS  of  the  Ar:\iy, 

llV/.v/i/H/zfon,  Jffujfrow/ 21,  18S8. 
IJespectfulIy  snbnutted  to  the  Secretary  of  AVar  in  connection  with 
previous  correspondence,  respecting  the  military  reservations  in  rjues 
tion,  and  the  importance  of  fortifications  in  that  vicinity,  submitted  by 
the  Adjutant-General  in  my  absence,  September  12, 1885,  including  re- 
port of  board  of  oliicers,  niai)s,  etc. 

\\  H.  Sheridan, 
TAcutenant-Ge^ieral,  Commandituj. 

[Tliiid  iiu'orseii  ou'.] 

^VAl^  Dfpartiment. '/<n((^cu7/ 27,  ]  888. 

IJespectfully  referred  to  the  Chief  of  Engineers  for  his  information 
and  for  tile. 
By  order  of  the  Se.n-etary  of  War. 

John  Tva'eI'.dale, 

Chief  Clerl: 


\ 


FORTIFICATIONS    T  ToX    Pl'GKT    SOUND. 


5 


Sur.SISTF.XCK   Ol'FICK,  I  )HI'A1{TMFNT    <)F    TIIJJ   COLUMIMA, 

\'(nici)iirer  lUirracks^  UVrv//.,  Diccinbcr  30,  1SS7. 
Siu  :   I  liiiv(^  the  lioixir  to  report  tlmt,  in  (M)ini)li;iii('i'  with  verl);il  in- 
structions iVoni  the  1  )('|»iirtuu'nt  ('onunandei'.  I  invosti^^ated  the  (loveni- 
meiit  title  to  the  military  reservation  at  New  l)iinj;eness,  Wa:rh.  (ilesij>- 
nated  Xo.  1'  on  the  military  map). 

Tiiron;^!!  the  courtesy  of  Hon.. I.  \'.  ( )strau(ler,  re<i;istor  I'niteil  States 
Land  Ol'Mce  at  Seattle,  Wash.,  I  was  ^iven  U\'<},  access  to  the  re<;ords  of 
his  office. 

This  reservation  was  declared  bj^  the  President  September  2l*,  ISlJi;. 
Patent  was  issued  ])ecember  !»,  ISfM-,  to  lots  L'  and  .],  and  ])atent.s  Xos. 
41,  42,  and  4.'!,  covering'  jjortion  of  the  reserve,  were  issued  3Iay,  bSSJ, 
so  that  a  small  strip  on  west  side  and  southeasi:  corner  is  all  that  now 
remains  in  possession  of  the  Government. 

1  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

('.  A.  ^V()ol)l{^"Fl■, 
C<ipi<(!ii  (dill  ('.  S.,  f.  S.  Ann  I/. 

To  the  Assistant  AD.iiTANT-(iENKKAL, 

DKI'AHTMKNT   of  TJIF  COFF.MIJIA, 

\'<incoHrer  Jhirria-Ls,  ]V((sJi. 

[Fiist   iniliii-seiiiciit.] 

llEADQFAKTFKS    DKl'AUTArKNT    OF    TUK   CoLUMlUA. 

^'((nCl)UV<■r  J>(irr(((']is,   Wash.,  'lannnrji  4,  1.S8S. 
icespeotfully  forwarded  to  the  AdJutantGeneralof  the  Army  (through 
Ilead(juartors  IJivision  of  the  I'acitic),  iu  compliance  with  i)r()visions  of 
the  last  para.nraph  of  General  Orders  Xo.  74,  series  of  ISiiii,  Adjutant- 
GeneraTs  olVice. 

New  l)unj;eness  Harbor,  on  Fuca  Straits,  is  a  very  safe  and  j^ood  one, 
and  it  might,  in  time  of  war,  be  a  natter  of  importance  to  ha\e  it  prop- 
erly protected.     At  present  its  occupation  is  not  of  much  value. 

Joiix  GiiJiiox, 
Jiritjfulirr-deniyal,  CoiDiiKindiiifi. 


;h 


ISpidiiil  ill 


rsiiiiiMit. 


Head(,»uarters  J)i\tsion  oi'^  iiiK  Pacific, 

tSan  Francisco,  Cat.,  Janiiurii  D,  188S. 

Respectfully  forwarded  to  the  Adjutant-General  of  the  Army,  iiivit- 
ing  attention  to  the  indorsement  of  the  Dei)artment  Commander 

O.   O.    IIOWARD, 

Maji>r-(iencra},  Commantlinfi, 


SriisisTENCE  Office,  Department  op  the  Uolumria, 

Wmcouvcr  Barracks,  Wash.,  J)ecemher'M),  1SS7. 

Sir:  1  have  the  honor  to  report  that  in  (!ompliance  with  verbal  in- 
struction of  the  J)e))artment  Conunander,  1  investigated  the  Govern- 
iiieiit  titlo  to  the  military  reservation  at  Admiralty  Head  (designated 
No.  12  on  the  military  ma))). 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Hon.  J.  Y.  Ostrander,  register  United  States 
Land  Oilice  at  Seattle,  Wash.,  I  was  given  free  access  to  t!ie  records  of 
his  oftiee. 


G 


rORTIFICATIONS    II'ON    PfCiKT    SOl'Nl). 


]Jos('iViUioii  (U'daied   by  tlio  Pn'sicU'iit  September  L'L',  1S0<5.     Tlio 
entire  reservation  is  covered  by  a doniition  land  elaini,  i>atente(l  l-'eb- 
ruary  liT,  l.STa,  based  npon  a  settlement  nnide  September  9,  IS.").*. 
I  am,  sir,  very  rcspe(;tliilly,  yonr  obedient  servant, 

C.  A.    WOODIUFF, 
Captahh  and  C.  S.,  I'.  IS.  Armi/. 

To  the  Assistant  Ad.jltant-CJknkual, 

DEI'ARTMKNT   of   tiik  COU-.AIIUA, 

\'aitco^(V('r  Jkirrdcis,  ll'^.v//. 

( l-'irst  iiidoi'seiiu'iit.  | 

I1kai)(,h'aktkijs  I)f:i'Art.-\ii<:nt  of  tmf  ('0Lr:Mi'.rA. 

Vitnvoxrcr  Ikirruvks,  Wnsh.^  'hiiiiKtri/  I,  1.S88. 

liespectfnlly  forwarded  to  tlu^  Adiiitant-(ieneial()t'tlie  Army  (tlir-  "li 
IIead(|iiarteis  Division  of  the  Paciitie),  in  compliance  with  ]>i'ovisions  of 
the  last  para^naph  of  (leiieral  Orders,  2so.  71,  series  of  ISCiK,  A.  (r.  O. 

IJeservation  No.  I'J,  on  Admiralty  Head,  is  one  of  the  positions  at 
the  month  of  the  Pnjjjet  Sonnd  waters,  absolutely  necessary  for  the  de- 
fense of  that  entrance. 

It  will  be  seen  that  this  reservation  is  no  lon,uer  a  milUanj  reserva- 
tion, all  of  it  havint;'  passed  into  the  hands  of  privat(?  i)arties. 

dOHN   (linifON, 

lirif/adicr  (lencral,  CoinmantUiu/, 

! Second  iiidoisunifnt.] 
IlEADQrATlTERS   J)IVISION   OF   TIIK    PACIFIC, 

San  Francisco,  Cal.,  January  !),  1S8S. 
Eespectfully  forwarded  to  the  Adjutant-Cleneral  of  the  Army,  concur- 
ring in  the  a  lews  of  the  Department  Commander. 

().  O.  IIOWAIID, 
Mojor-flcncral,  Coiiimawlhif/. 


SULSISTENC^E   OfI'ICE,   ])]:fARTMENT    OF    THE   C'OLUMllIA. 

Vaiicvurcr  JUirritcl's,  Waslt,,  Deeeinbcr  iiO,  1887. 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  .iiat  in  compliance  ^vith  verbal  in- 
structions from  the  I)ei)artment  Commander,  1  investigated  the  Gov- 
ernment title  to  the  military  reservation  at  Point  Wilson,  Wash,  (des- 
ignated on  the  nnlitary  maj)  No.  10). 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Hon.  J.  Y.  Ostrander,  register  L'nited  States 
Land  Ottice  at  Seattle,  Wash.,  I  was  given  free  access  to  tlu^  records  of 
his  otlice. 

Tliis  reservation  was  declared  by  the  President  September  2'2, 1860. 
A  portion  of  the  land  covered  by  this  reservation  was  granted  to  the 
Territory  of  Washington  in  1804,  for  university  pur|)Oses,  under  act  of 
Congress,  and  a  donation  (ilaiin  was  patented  Alarch  0,  18(10,  covering 
a  ])ortion  of  the  reserve;  only  a  small  portion  now  belongs  to  the  Gov- 
ernment. 

1  am,  sir,  very  repectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

C.  A.  Woodruff, 
C((pf((in  and  C.  (S\,  ('.  S.  Arnn/. 

To  the  Assistant  Adjutant-General, 

Department  op  the  Columbia, 

Vancouver  Barracls,  Wash. 


FORTIFICATIONS    I  TON    I'lOFT    SOUND.  7 

I  l-'irst  iiiiliir.smifiit.l 
IlKADijl'AHTKRS    nKl'AIM'MKNT   OT   Tin;   ('(»I,rMIUA, 

\'(inc<>Hr(r  JlarracLs,  Wash.,  .Inaitaiji  1,  1SS8. 
Itospectl'iillN  roi\vai(l«'<l  to  tlui  Adjutant  (uMU'Viil of  tlic  Arin.v  (tliroiii;ii 
Ileadiiuartcrs  Division  oi'tlic  racitic),  in  compliance  with  i)ro\  isions  of 
tiic  last  i»aia<ii'ai»ii  oldcncial  t  )i<lcrs  Nn.  74,  scries  of  IS(i'.»,  A.  (1.  (). 

Point  Wilson,  opposite  Adniiraity  Head,  desijiiiated  "Military  lies- 
eivation,  No.  10,"  is  another  essential  point  in  the  delense  of  the  sound, 
and  nearly  the  whole  of  that  has  now  become  pii\ate  )»roperty. 

.lolIN  (llMHOM, 

Iiri;i<itli(r- (Icitrral,  Vommandhuj. 

iSrCMiiil  illiliilscincllt.] 

IJEAix^LAiiTEWs  Division  of  thf  Tacific, 

Sitn  Francisco,  ('al.,  flannaiij  \),  ISSS. 

I*espect1'nlly  forwai'dcd  to  tlie  Adintant-deneral  of  the  Army,  concur- 
ring in  the  views  of  the  Department  Comiiiander. 

().   ().    HoWAKl). 
MaJDfdcHCfdl,  Comiuandinij. 


Office  Boakd  of  Knginkkhs  for  the  Pacifk'  Coast, 

ISaa  Francisco,  Cnl,,  Decemlier  IS,  KS71. 

CrENKKAL:  I  Inive  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith  to  tiui  D'  ])artment 
a  rei)ort  of  the  President  of  the  Pacitie  Jioard  of  ICnyineers,  dated  Decem- 
ber lo,  1871,  in  reference  to  the  i»racticability  of  c()nstrn(!tiii,ii'  a  sliip- 
canal  to  connect  the  waters  of  Lake  Wasninyton,  Washington  Tei'ritory, 
with  those  of  Seattle  Ilarboi-,  together  with  one  sheet  of  <liawings  on 
tracing  linen. 

f  also  inclose  a  rei)ort  of  Lieutenant  llandbiiry,  the  I'eeorder  of  the 
Board,  dated  October  13,  1871,  on  the  reconnaissamie  of  Lake  Washing- 
ton and  the  surrounding  country. 

\'ery  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

P).  S.  Alexandku, 
Lieut.  Col.  Fnaiiwcrs,  J!vt.  r>ri(i.  Gin.,  i'.  >V.  A., 

Frcsiilent  Board  of  Fni/inecr.s  Pacijic  Coast. 
Brig.  den.  A.  A.  HrMFiiiiEVs, 

Chief  of  Engineers,  U.S.A. 


Office  Po.^rd  of  ENiaNEEws  fou  the  I'acifk;  ("oast, 

San  Fr((ncisco,  Cal.,  J>eceinlicr  \~),  18V 1. 

(rENEKAL:  1  have  the  honor  to  make  the  following  report  on  the  re- 
connaissance of  Lake  Washington,  AVashington  Territory. 

This  reconnaissanct^  was  made  during  the  month  of  August  last  by 
myself  and  Lieutenant  Ihmdbury,  the  recorder  of  this  Board. 

The  object  of  the  reconnaissance  was  to  as(;ertain  if  this  lake  could 
be  connected  with  Seattle  Harbor  by  a  ship-canal,  within  reasonable 
limits  of  expense:  and  if  so,  to  dis(!()ver  the  approximate  locitiui  of 
such  canal,  the  dirt'erentie  (4'  level  between  the  waters  of  Seattle  Har- 
bor and  the  lake,  and  all  the  other  circumstances  attending  such  an 
undertaking. 


8  lOliTIFICATIONS    ll'ON    I'UGKT    SOUND. 

My  Ictlcr  to  tlic  Dcpiu  tniciit  (tf  ('ctolicr  11,  ISTd,  Mill  sot  fuilli  iiioio 
Cully  tlu'  oltjcct  dl'  tlM' ii'ciuniiiissaiicc. 

A  copy  ot  till'  iciiort  of  Jiii'iiteiiaiit  lliiiidhiuy,  addH'swd  to  tlio  rres- 
idciit  of  tills  I>oi(i(l,»liilf<l  OctoluM'  l.'{,  l.S71,loj;('tlu'r\vitli  tlic  iM'('oini)imy- 
iii;;-  lira  winy,  lire  liiicwitli  traiisniittt'd,  and  may  be  t'oii.siilt'iod  as  lonii- 
iiij;!!  ]»ait  olthis  H'poit.  Tlii'sc  pajuMs  will  render  any  I'lirtlier  ilescrip- 
lion  of  the  lake  nnnecessary  at  the  present  time. 

We  eoiiie,  therelore,  al  oiiee  to  (;onsider  llie  i)rat;tical)ility  of  the  ]iro- 
posed  canal. 

J{y  reference  to  the  ii'port  of  Jiieulonant  Ilandlinry  it  will  be  seen  : 

'I'iiliiiiy  difliiiiiiy  lii;;li  w  iitir  of  tlic  liiiy  as (•  i 

'i'lic.  Will tT  (if  I <iiKi'  I'll idii  w  licii  leveled  was  II'  0  '  M)irrci eiiee.  T  . 

'I'lie  watef  of  J.ake  A\'asliiii;;tiiii  when  leveled  was ]•-'  (i''  S 

llijili  water  ()('  llie  li.iy  as (li 

lOxt It'll le  hijilMvaler  (if  Lake  I'liidii i:i'  ti''    •  Ditlereiice,  '.I'. 

I'.xtieiiie  liiyll  water  t if  I, a ke  Wasliiii^loii 'Jti'  {'<"  S 

lli;;li  w  ater  (if  tile  liay  as (i  i 

•  llxticiiie  1(1  w  water  (if  l>ak(   t'liimi  Id'  tl  '     Dlliei elite,  d  G". 

J'^xtreiiie  IdW  water  of  Lak(' \\'asliiii;;l(iii 17  (•'    ) 

lli;;li  water  of  tlie  liay  as U  ) 

Mean  level  of  Liiisf  fiii'oii 1'J'  [■DitVereiice,  7   '.• '. 

Mean  level  of  J.ukt!  AVasliin;;ldn lU  1>  "  > 

If  we  suppose^  the  waters  of  the  two  lakes  to  coinmiinicale  freely,  and 
to  assume,  at  all  times,  a  common  level,  then  we  would  have,  assiimind' 
the  hi};h  water  ot  the  liiiy  as  0,  th(^  (uimiiion  level  of  the  two  lakes  at 
liiflli  water  IS':  the  common  level  of  the  two  lakes  at  loir  water  1.'!'  [)''; 
the  mean  level  of  the  two  lakes,  l.V  HIV'. 

Xow,  in  reference  to  these  data,  I  will  rei.iark,  if  a  wide  and  deep 
canal  were  (!Uf  between  Lake  Washiiiofon  and  Lake  Union,  that  Lake 
Washiiidton  would  necessarily  tiiid  its  main  outlet  to  the  he;i  through 
Lake  Union  and  Shilshole  Hay;  and  in  this  (jase  the  height  of  the 
common  level  of  the;  comiiuMiicatino'  waters,  barrino-  a  sli<iiit  slope  for 
the  current,  coidd  be  re^^ii'atod,  within  certain  limits,  l\v  an  inexpensive 
dam  across  the  stream  leadino"  IVom  Lake  Union  into  Shilshole  IJay, 

This  limit  I  have  assumed  to  be  between  the  references  of  14  and  IS 
feet. 

Such  a  dam  would  jmt  the  permanent  level  of  the  water  from  (!  inches 
to  4  feet  0  inches  above  the  present  hif;h  water  of  Lakl^  Union,  by 
which  no  damadc,  or,  if  any,  very  little  would  bo  done  to  the  surrouml- 
in^'  shores. 

The  level  of  the  water,  or  lathor  tlie  oscillations  of  the  level  in  the 
case  .su])posed,  would  be  i'rom  o  feet  below  to  1  foot  above  extreme  low- 
water  of  Lake  Washington,  by  which  much  valuiible  land  around  the 
borders  of  Sammamish  Lake  and  the  stream  connectino'  it  with  Lake 
AVashino'ton  would  be  reclaimed.  Aiul  it  should  not  be  forgotten  if 
Lake  AVashinot;>n  were  drained  through  Lake  Union  by  a  large  cut  or 
canal  tliat  the  (nirrent  of  the  escaping  water  wonld  probably  soon  scour 
out  a  deep  (ihannel  through  Union  Bay,  carrying  the  sediment,  par- 
ticularly at  the  first  rush  of  the  water,  to  a  great  exunt  into  Admiralty 
Inlet. 

Jt  is  i)ossible  that  the  range  I  have  given  for  the  level  of  the  waters 
of  the  two  lakes,  in  ciise  this  canal  should  ever  be  built,  would  be  slightly 
changed.  It  may  be  made  higher  or  lower.  The  question  will  be  one 
of  exj)ense. 

This  difference  of  level  between  the  waters  of  the  bay  and  the  lakes 
will  involve  the  constriu'tion  of  locks,  to  enal)le  vessels  to  pass  from 
one  to  the  other. 


I  in  the 
iUH^,  low 
uiid  the 
h  Lake 
otteu  if 
B  cut  or 
)ii  scour 
nt,  par- 
niinilty    | 

waters    , 
slightly    I 
be  one 


' 


FORTIFICATIONS    UPON    PUGET    SOUND. 


0 


Tliose  locks,  lor  tlie  sake  of  t'coiioiny  in  ext'avation,  .slioultl  In-  placoil 
at  till'  oiitU't  ol"  till'  cniia!,  on  Hit'  bay  sliori'. 

The  raii;;;i'  oftlie  tiili'  in  Seattle  llaibnr,  tor  such  jiraetical  i)urposes 
as  a  eaiial,  may  be  assnnied  at  lOi'eet.  II.  tlieiel'ore.  it  bo  re<]nireil  that 
the  ontlet  of  tiie  e-aiial  be  so  eonstrneted  tJiat  vessels  shall  l)e  able,  </^ 
all  times  of  tide,  to  i)ass  ironi  the  liarbor  into  the  canal,  or  vicr  rcmo, 
then  llie  ina.xinuini  difference  of  level  lietwccn  low  water  in  tlie  bay 
(  —  10  feet)  and  hi<;h  water  in  the  canal  (IS  feet)  would  be  L*S  feet,  which 
]iei.uht  may  be  overcome,  eitliei-  by  two  locks  each  of  14  feet  lift,  or  l)y 
three  Iccl^s  of  0  feet  4  inches  lift. 

The  nuestion  Avhethei"  there  should  be  two  or  tlifee  locks  in  such  a 
ea.'-e  nmy  be  left  tor  consideration  lierealfer.  AValcr  is  abundant,  and, 
if  the  <|nestion  should  ever  come  up  for  <1iscnssiou,  an  unlimited  supply 
for  any  amount  of  hicka^e  nuiy  be  taken  lb.     ranted. 

For  the  i)risent  1  will  .assume  that  two  locks  can  be  constructed  to 
auswer  all  ])uri)0ses.  Of  course  some  poitions  of  such  locivs  ou.yht  to 
be  of  the  very  best  (luality  of  nuisonry,  but  other  ])ortious  could  be  made 
of  timber,  ot  which  any  aiiuMint  can  be  had  within  si<«ht  of  the  locality. 

The  cost  of  such  locks  would  i)robabIy  lie  about  8l,()()(>,0()()  eacli. 

The  next,  ipiestion  is  the  amount  of  excavation. 

Two  transit  ami  level  lines  were  run  from  Union  Lake  to  Seattle  Har- 
bor, crossinjjf  the  divide  between  the  lake  and  the  harbor  at  the  lowest 
depressions — one  via  "■.Mercers  Farm,"'  thi^  other  via  the  tramway  of 
the  Seattle  C(  al  Company.  A  transit  and  level  liiu'  was  also  run  via 
the  tramway  conm'etiu;^'  the  two  lakes.  These  lines  were  not  strai.n'ht 
lines,  because  to  have  made  them  strai<;'ht  would  have  involved  many 
days  cuttinj;'  in  a  thick  uiuler.nrowth  that  mij^ht  very  ])ro])ei'ly  be  called 
a  jun,:;ie. 

Sutlicient  exi)loi'alions  were  made,  however,  to  show  that  the  canal 
between  the  two  lakes  could  be  made  on  a  strai^ulit  line  without  en- 
connterin.u-  any  hi.uh  land  or  other  dilliculties. 

The  route  between  Lake  I'nion  and  Seatile  Ilarboi',  via  '.'.Mercer's 
Farm  "  line,  can  also  be,  a  straight  line,  while  that  via  the  tramway  from 
Lake  L'niou  to  the  harbor  would  be  on  two  straight  lines  connerred  In- 
an  are  of  a  ciicle  of  l,<!o()  feet  radius,  as  sliown  on  tin,'  accomp.inyin,!^" 
shc'jt. 

The  foriowin;^-  tabulations  have  been  made  from  measurcau'iits  ami 
i-arelul  calculations: 

m.lWr.KN    I.AKKS. 

l.ciigtli  (if  iin'iijsnred  lino   •J.til } 

LMigth  (it.striii;;ht  liiii' l.'.MU 

IIKTWKKX    I.AKK    INION    AM>    THK    ISA  Y    (VIA    M  i:  li(  Ki;".-    lAK.M). 

Lon,i;th  111"  s('(!ti()ii  line .",  li;." 

Loiigtli  ol'stniiulit  iiii;' .">.  lao 

IIKTWKK.N"    I, AM-:    I  NIuN    AM)    mr.    IIAV    f  \  I A     lUAMW  AV). 

Length  i»t'  section  line (i,  ;>0." 

Leiiyth  nl'  jtiopd-sed  line  'vit  h  eiirv  e   Ci,  ;Ui) 

I  have  supposed  if  we  were  to  bu'ld  suith  a  canal  for  naval  luirposes 
that  it  ou;iht  to  be  .'iO  feet  deep  in  tue  middle  at  low  water  in  the  lakes ; 
that  the  snbmei'j;ed  slopes  oui^hr  to  be  1  on  L* :  that  about  (5  feet  above 
liiffh  water  in  the  caiial  there  on.uht  to  be  a  berme,  or  tow-))ath.  IL'  feet^ 
wule,  and  above  this  jioint  the  side  slopes  may  be  made  i'>~,  with  small 
berines  4  feet  wide  for  <  verv  L'O  feet  in  height. 


10 


FORTIFICATIONS  UPON  PUGET  SOUND. 


It  may  be  leinarkt'd  tliat  tlie  exposed  banks  of  earth  in  all  this  coun- 
liy  Avill  stand  at  a  very  steep  slope,  more  than  45°;  but  for  safety  1 ' 
think  hiyh  banks  like  those  of  a  eanal  in  deep  excavation  had  lietter  be 
ent  to  that  slope. 

As  to  the  cross-section  of  the  canal,  I  think  50  feet  wide  on  the  bottom 
wonld  be  amjily  snthcient.  This  would  make  the  water  surface  at  low 
water  KJL*  feet  wide,  and  at  hij-h  water  178  feet  wide,  which  wonld  al- 
low ordinary  vessels  of  commerce  to  pass  each  other  with  ease  an<l 
safety.  AVhen  a  large  man-of-war  had  to  i)ass  throuj^h,  of  course  the 
canal  wonld  be  cleared  for  that  i)urpose. 

The  datum  plane  being' ordinary  high  water  —  0:  the  bottom  of  the 
canal  is  at  — HJ  feet;  surface  of  canal  at  low  water  It  feet;  surface  of 
canal  at  high  water  18  feet. 

The  drawing  gives  a  cross-section  of  the  canal  in  deep  cutting,  ar- 
ranged according  to  the  foregoing  data. 

Jf  this  section  were  adoi)ted  tlie  amount  (tf  excavation  would  be — 

','ul>ic  ,va^•(l^^v 

On  transit  line  ln'twi'L'u  lakes 47:5,  .-dl 

Uu  a  straislit  lim- 4  4v!,7:V-' 

Hetwreii  l^ake  I'liioii  and  tlie  l)av,  via  Mi-icoi's  I'aiin  .  - 4,  (i;U,4t)(> 

Oil  a  ,strai<;lit  line .'. :!, '.'S5,  (Ud 

ISetwccii  Lake  I  nion  and  the  bay,  via  tramway ;'.,  lUlf),  H".! 

On  straight  lim-  with  connectini;  curve :).  '.".•>. '^f;'! 

To  be  safe,  1  assume  the  excavation  Itetween  lakes,  4r)0,(K)!>  cubic- 
yards;  excaviition  between  Uiuon  I/ake  and  the  bay,  by  eitiier  route, 
4,()II0,0(K)  cubic  yards  ;  total  excavation,  4,4r)(>,00t)  cul)ic  yards. 

From  these  data  we  iireeiuibled  to  arrive  at  an  approximate  estimate 
of  the  cost  of  the  canal : 

Say  two  lil't-lorks.  at  !?l.f'00,(lOO  each ,s-j,  Ui)(),  (mki 

Excavation,  4.  l.Mt.dOU  eiiliic  yards,  at  'M  cents  per  ciiliic  yard "J, 'J-J."),  (Rif) 

Dam,  w  itli  aiunn,  across  outlet  of  Union  Lake ','."),  OOO 

4,  ■,'.')(>,  (10(1 
Ad<l  10  iier  cer,r.  tor  sui)er\  isi(  n  and  contiiin'Micies I'J."),  0()(> 

Total  cost 4,  ('.::.,  (1(10 

I  am  of  opinion  tiiat  the  proposet'  caiuil  could  be  built  for  this  amount 
of  money  (coin),  unless  it  shotdd  be  detjided  that  three  locks  would  be 
jtreferable  to  two,  in  which  case  aliout  85<>(),()C0  shotdd  be  added  to  this 
estinnite,  making  it  85, ITo. (»()(>. 

The  tpiestion  , irises,  in  (toiujltision,  does  the  (loverntuent  want  such  a 
<'anal  and  such  a  harbor  of  refuge  in  this  locality  Jis  Lake  Wasliington 
would  iiiford  .' 

This  ((uestion  1  do  not  i)ropose  to  discuss  tit  the  present  time.  IMtU'h 
might  be  said  both  for  titid  agiiinst  ir. 

if  there  were  such  a  chiince  to  make  a  great  uaval  depot,  so  euvirely 
secure,  with  so  many  advantages  of  climate,  of  coal,  timber,  and  fresh- 
water five  fioiu  ice,  at  any  siiitiible  point  tdong  the  middle  of  the  At- 
lantic fVont,  (M'  even  the  (iiilf  C()ast  of  the  United  States,  1  do  not  im- 
agine tlieie  wdiild  be  much  hesitation  on  the  subject.  The  work  w(mld 
probably  be  started  ;it  once. 

But,  situated  as  this  harbor  is,  on  one  liaidc  of  the  Pacific  front  of  the 
United  States,  in  u  ('(uiiitry  yet  in  its  infancy  as  regards  popidiition  and 
resources,  the  ctise  is  different.  Xeveitheless,  it  should  at  idl  times  be 
remend)eve<l,  when  this  subject  ciunts  up  for  consideration,  that  there 
are  oulv  thre(>  i>laces  on  the  I'acific  Coast  of  the  rnited  Stittes  where 
mivy-yards  or  naval  establishments  of  any  kiml  can  be  estaltlished, 
where  they  can  be  luiule  secure. 


' 


m 


FORTIFICATIONS    UPON    PUGET    SOUND. 


One  of  tlie.se  i.s  at  San  Francisco,  one  is  at  San  J)ie<40,  and  one  in  ihe 
waters  of  Pnj^a't  Sound. 

When  the  day  arrives  for  iixin,ij  a  site  for  a  navy-yard,  or  a  depot  of 
naval  supplies,  in  these  lattei-  waters,  the  claims  of  LaUe  Wasliin^ton 
will  doubtless  l)e  considered. 

Althoufih  much  information  is  contained  in  thisrejxjrt  and  tlie  pajx'rs 
herewith,  yet  before  any  actual  woric  could  i)roperly  be  bejiun  on  tlie 
construction  of  such  aMork  as  this  canal,  mucli  more  detailed  informa- 
tion would  be  wanted.  Minute  an<l  accurate  surveys  would  be  reciuired. 
The  lakes  and  streams  enipt.ving  into  tliem  should  be  carefully  {^auoed 
for  an  entire  year,  and  the  part  that  ( "edar  Kiver  would  jtlayin  supply- 
ing Lake  Washington  m  ith  water  in  times  of  tlood  accurately  ascer- 
tained. 

1  have  luit  discussed  the  other  possiMe  routes  tor  a  canal  to  connect 
the  waters  of  Lake  Wasiiington  with  Seattle  Harbor,  because  i  consider 
the  route  via  L'nion  Twake  and  .Mercun's  farm  i)referable  to  any  other. 
Looking  at  the  nnip  alone  it  would  seem  that  there  might  l»e  a  good 
route  just  south  of  Seattle,  on  a  straight  line  across  the  narrowest  |)or- 
tion  of  liind  between  the  lake  and  the  bay,  but  su(!h  a  route:  W(»idd  en- 
counter hills  at  least  L'OO  and  probably  oOO  feet  in  height,  and  would 
terminate  on  the  bay  in  shallow  water.  And  the  line  of  which  Jiieuten 
ant  Ilandbury  speaks  as  having  its  summit  only  17L*  feet  above  the  high 
water  of  the  bay,  woidd  be  several  miles  in  length,  would  in'  crooked, 
and  would  ternn"nate  south  of  the  town  of  Seattle,  nearly  a  mile  from 
deep  water. 

The  line  via  IMack  and  Dwamish  rivers  is  too  long  and  too  crooked, 
and  it  terminates  in  shoal  water.  Besides,  a  canal  here  would  be  cer- 
tainly filled  up  by  the  sands  brought  down  by  the  Cedar  and  U'liite 
rivers  in  times  (tf  Hood. 

The  line  via  the  outlet  of  Union  Lake  and  Shilshole  Lay  has  serious 
objections.  The  excavation  would  ])robable  be  \-ery  expensive,  liecausc^ 
a  great  ])ortion  would  have  to  be  done  by  dredging.  Ibit  the  damaging 
features  of  this  line  are  that  it  would  terminate  in  shoal  water,  exposed 
to  heavy  seas,  which  would  constantly  fill  up  tiie  outlet  of  the  canal, 
and  that  this  outlet  v.ould  be  exposed  to  the  cannonade  of  an  enemy  in 
time  of  war. 

Tlui  line  via  the  outlet  of  Union  Lake,  into  Shilshole  Day,  and  tlien(;e 
a(;ross  tln^  low,  narrow  peninsula  in)rtlieast  of  SmitlTs  Point,  is  also  ob- 
jectionable, because,  although  tlu^  excavation  would  be  less,  1  think  it 
would  be  quite  as  costly  as  that  via  Mercer's  farm,  and  it  woidd  termi- 
nate in  shoal  water,  IJesides  the  ''oute  would  not  be  so  seciite  as  ihat 
via  Mercer's  farm  or  the  tramway. 

For  the  defense  of  the  entrance  to  the  canal  by  either  of  the  latter 
routes,  and  the  holding  of  Seattle  Harbor  against  a  maritime  attack, 
the  occupation  of  a  few  positions  on  the  highland  overlooking  Sandy 
Point  and  Smith's  Point,  and  of  some  positiou  ou  the  opposite  shore 
would  be  necessary. 

1  remark  in  coiu'lusion  that  the  other-  mem))ersof  this  Hoard  not  hav- 
ing visited  the  locality,  or  taken  any  p;irt  in  this  reconnaissance,  ought 
not  to  be  held  responsil)le  for  the  views  and  opinions  expressed  in  this 
rei>ort.     I  alone  am  resjjonsible  for  them. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant,. 

P).  S.  Alkxandkk, 
Lieut.  Co}.  l-JiiffiiDrrs,  lirf.  /irit/.  Gen.,  ('.  S.  A., 

President  lluurd  of  J^Jnijinecvs,  Vncific  Coaat.. 

Brig.  (Jen.  A.  A.  HrMPiiREYs, 

Chief  of  EnijincevH,  U.  aS.  ^l. 


l^ 


'^ 


12 


FORTIFICATIONS    ITON   PUGET    SOUND. 


San  JYiANCisco,  Cal.,  Ccfolier  i;>,  1871. 

COLONKL:  AlU'i'  ('()ni])k'tiii<;'  tlic  iield-w oik  ol"  (lu;  cunciit  obsciva- 
tioiis  wliicli  you  liad  diicctt'd  iik*  to  iiuikc  in  and  about  tlic  iitoiitli  of 
tilt'  Colniid^ia  ]\ivi'i',  1  inocct'dcd  with  my  i»;iit.v,  in  obedience  to  your 
orders,  to  l*n}>et  Sound,  Ibr  tlu'  i)Ui|to,s('  oftakinj;'  current  observations 
in  c<'rtain  designated  locabties  tiiere;  and  also,  un<l(M'  your  ])ersonal 
supervision,  to  make  a  reconnaissance  in  the  vi(;  iiity  of  Lake  "\Vashin;j- 
t()n,AVasliington  Territory,  with  a  view  toascei'tainin<>'  the  i)racticability 
of  connectin;^'  the  waters  of  tiuit  lake  with  those  of  Dwaniish  or  IClliott's 
Ijay  by  means  of  a  shii» canal  of  such  dimensions  as  to  admit  to  the 
lake  our  lai-^est  vessels  of  war,  in  case  tiie  (rovernmciit  shoulddecide 
to  locate  a  naval  dc])ot  ni)on  its  shores. 

Upon  this  reconnaissance  1  now  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  fbllow- 
inp'  leport : 

As  this  lo(!ality  is  be<;innin.<4'  to  attract  considerabli^  attention  on  ac- 
count of  its  connection  with  the  railroad  and  maritime  interests  of 
commerce,  as  well  as  its  imi)ortanc.c  to  the  (iovernment  for  naval  ])ur- 
]ioses,  a  description  of  it,  somewhat  in  detail,  may  not  be  uninterestin,i:'. 

Lake  \Vashin.iiton  is  a  body  of  fresh  water,  situated  about  l.\  miles 
due  east  froni  Dwamis'.i  Jiay,  \N'ashinj;ton  Territory.  Jt  is  about  IS 
miles  in  lenj^th,  with  an  avoaj^e  width  of  about  -  miles,  atid  has  an 
area  of  about  ."UJ  s<juare  miles.  At  its  widest  ])lace  its  width  is  about 
5  nnles. 

Here  there  is  a  lar<;e  island,  about  midway  of  the  lake,  1  mile  wide 
and  about  t  miles  in  h'nj^th.  The  depth  of  water,  ascertained  at  various 
l)laces  about  e(|ui(listant  fi'om  the  shores,  varies  frotn  10  to^JT  fathoms, 
and  in  .u'cneral  itis  deej)  nj>  to  within  a  shoir  distiincc^  from  its  shores. 

The  whole  lake  isnothin;:;  mori'  tiian  a  lar^^c  volume  of  water  collected 
from  tiie  suiroundin.u'  hills  into  a  deep  .lior^e. 

^\'hen  it  was  ascertained  that  tiie  depth  was  so  <.'reat,  reac!iin,<i'  I'ar  be- 
low the  level  of  the  waters  of  the  sound,  it  became  interesting;'  to  know 
the  ehaiiieter  of  the  water  at  the  bottom.  To  determine  this  we  ])ro- 
(aired  s]>ecimens,  which,  after  examination,  jiroved  to  be  pr<'cisely  simi- 
lar to  those  obtiiiiied  from  the  toj),  both  bein,^-  iierfectly  fresh.  The 
temiH'rature  at  the  bottom  was  ~>~)^  !•'.:  at  the  surface,  70^  1'.;  the  air, 


■  u 


^  F. 


The  water,  althoujih  fres4i  and  soft,  is  not  snfii(!iently  imre  for  drink- 
inj;'  purposes.  It  seems  to  ho  iinpre,nnated  with  minute  i»articles  of  sus- 
])ensible  decayed  vegetable  matter  and  minute  animal  life,  scarcely  visi- 
ble to  rhe  naked  eye. 

The  bottom  also  seems  to  be  covered  with  fine  mud  and  decayed  vege- 
table substance.  _ 

This  lake  receives  the  draina,ue  of  about  .'!()<>  square  miles  of  the  sur- 
roundin.u'  countiy.  its  i)rincipal  tributary,  the  Sammamish  River,  en- 
ters it  at  the  northern  end.  This  liver  drains  a  lake  of  the  same  name, 
situated  about  3  miles  due  east  and  lying  north  and  south,  nearly  par- 
allel to  Lake  ^^'ashington.  The  other  tributari«'s  are  small  inconsid- 
erable stieams,  diaining  the  hills  in  the  immediate  vicinity. 

Its  natural  outlet  is  at  its  southern  end,  through  the  Dwamish  Kiver 
into  Dwamish  15ay.  Uetween  the  lake  and  the  l»ay  this  river  rec-eives 
the  waters  of  Cedar  and  AN'hite  rivers.  It  is  navigable  for  small  steam- 
boats at  ordinary  high  ti«le  nj)  to  a  sluit  distance  above  the  White 
Eiver,  and  during  the  time  of  treshets  in  the  Cedar  and  ^Vilite  rivers 
*steamers  have  ascended  to  the  lake. 

It  frequently  liapi)en"  during  this  time  that  the  waters  of  Cedar,  and 


FORTII'ICATIONS    UPON    PUCiKT    SOUXD. 


la 


sometiiiios  thost'  of  White  Iiiver,  flow  into  the  h»ke  instead  oi'  thioiiyli 
tiie  Dwiuiiisli  IJiver  into  the  bay. 

The  eountiy  snironndin^i'  Lake  Washinjiton  is  jjeneially  uiululatinji' 
and  hilly,  alihonj;li  not  ron,i;h  nor  rnjiyed.  It  abounds  with  numerous 
springs  of  alear  pure  water. 

Alonjj  the  borders  of  the  Sanunaniish  Lake  and  down  the  Snmniamish 
Iviver  there  are  eonsidcrabie  <llnultitil^s  of  iihusii  and  overllowed  lands 
that  only  need  reclamation  to  become  \a!nable  for  ajiiicultural  purposes. 

This  tract  of  country,  like  all  that  borderiny'  on  the  wateis  of  IMi.net 
Sound,  is  thickly  covered  with  valuable  tind)er,  of  which  the  fir.  spruce, 
and  cedar  a^e  the  )))incii)al  varieties.  On  the  borders  of  the  lake  alone 
there  is  enoufih  of  the  best  (juality  of  these  s])ccies  of  timbci'  to  sup[)ly 
all  the  wjuitsof  a  naval  depot  for  years  to  «<)nu\ 

There  are  also,  uithin  2  miles  of  the  eastern  shore  of  (his  lake,  coal 
fields  of  considerable  extent  that  aie  now  bein<;'  successlidly  worked 
by  a  comi)any  eiititlcd  the  "  Seattle  Coal  and  Transjiortation  Coni[iany." 

The  coal  is  of  an  excellent  <iuality,  and  raid^s  aiuon;^'  the  lirst  of  those 
obtained  ujton  this  coast  for  steaming' i)urposes,  >Vltliou,ah  the  facili- 
ties lor  getting  this  coal  to  market  are  as  yet  vcy  luimitive  and  expen- 
sive, still  the  enteri)ris(;  seems  to  ])ay  those  interested.  The  amount 
now  taken  ont  per  month  is  about  l,."»(l(>  tons.  With  improved  tacilities 
the  comjjany  exjiects  to  be  able  to  deliver  double  tliis  amount  in  the 
course  of  a  lew  weeks. 

To  the  westward  of  Lake  Washington  is  another  smaller  lake  called 
Lake  Union. 

Their  waters  sire  separated  by  a  low  narrow  lidge  aliout  <!S0  yaids 
wide. 

This  lake  has  an  atca  of  about  ]|  scpiare  miles.  Its(lei)th  varies  from 
3  to  8  fathoms,  and  its  waters  are  of  about  the  same  character  as  those 
of  Lake  Washington,  Its  (uitlet  is  on  its  eastei'u  side  through  a  small 
stream  into  Shilshole  l>ay,  thence  into  Admiralty  lidet.  'J'ii rough  this 
outlet  the  tide  rises  to  within  one-half  mile  of  the  lake. 

The  stream  runs  through  a  low  narrow  valley,  which  widens  out  into 
a  marshy  tlat  when  it  reaidus  Shilshole  Bay.  During  low  water  this 
bay  is  a  low  mnd  tiat,  excepting  near  its  entrance,  which  is  tiirough  a 
nanow  goige  with  bold  bluffs  on  ln»th  sides. 

iJctween  tlu'  outK-t  of  Lak(^  ('nion  and  Dwamish  IJay  there  is  a 
ridge  of  consideralde  height,  with  a  low  depression  in  the  vicinity  of 
Smith's  l>ay.  At  this  point  tin;  height  of  the  land  does  not  exceed  IL* 
feet  above  high  water. 

JJetween  the  southern  end  of  Lake  I'liion  and  Dwamish  Hay  there  are 
two  depiessions.  one  in  a  westerly  direction  ami  the  other  in  a  south- 
erly. 

The  height  of         'i  of  these  aliove  the  lake  is  about  10.")  feet. 

Un  the  west  of  Lake  Washington,  and  limite<l  by  Dwamish  IJiver  and 
Bay  on  the  south  andwe.-t  and  l^ake  Lnion  on  the  north,  '.here  is 
also  a  range  of  hills  of  considerable  iieight.  The  lowest  point  of  this 
range  is  ITl'  feet  aliove  the  high  N\atei'  of  the  bay. 

By  leferring  to  tiie  Coast  Survey  ('hart  of  Dwamish  Bay  it  will  be 
seen  that  it  is  ul)out  <»  mih's  in  length  by  L'  in  width,  with  deep  water 
nearly  up  to  the  shores,  extjept  at  its  soiitiieastern  einl,  wiiere  it  receives 
the  waters  of  the  Dwamish  lfi\er. 

Here  there  is  an  extensive  llat,  whi(di  is  iuire  at  low  water.  Thehold- 
ing  ground  in  this  bay  is  generally  good,  but  the  warer  is  too  deep  to 
make  it  a  desirable  anchoring  place. 


14 


FORTIFICATIONS    ITON    PUGET    SOUND. 


Tlu'  sliore  of  tlie  bay  on  tlicciistmi  sido,  between  the  town  of  Seattle 
and  Sniitir.s  P>ay,  is  well  adajited  ior  tlu' terminus  of  a  eanal,  on  account" 
of  its  bein^-  well  ])i()te<'ted  from  storms  and  of  the  faAorable  dei)t!i  of 
water. 

At  tSmitli's  Jiay  tlieie  is  anotliei'  extensive  Hat  similar  to  tliat  at  the 
nioutli  of  tln^  Dwamisli  lliver. 

Jinniediately  alter  our  ani\al  at  Seattle  mc  i>r<iceeded.  under  your 
l»ersonal  su}»ervi>ion,  to  the  examination  <if  Lake  NNashinjzton. 

We  thoroujihly  examined  ttie  shoie  of  that  ]»ortion  of  this  lake  from 
rni«)n  iJay  southwaid,  also  the  depth  of  the  water,  by  taking'  sounding.s 
at  various  ])la(;es  as  we  rowed  Irom  ])(»int  to  jtoint. 

These  soundinji's,  as  well  as  other  iniormaiion  collected  from  absolute 
survey,  are  herewith  submitted  on  a  slieet,  which  also  contains  a  trac- 
iufi'  taken  from  the  most  reliable  map  of  this  vicinity  which  we  coidd 
obtain,  made  in  the  I'nited  tSlates  Surveyordeneral's  ()lilice. 

Alter  examining- this  lake  we  i)roeeede(l  in  like  n)anner  to  examine 
Lake  I  nion. 

Jietween  these  two  we  ran  a  transit  and  level  line  for  the  i)ari)ose  of 
obtaining'  their  dilfeience  of  level  and  a  cross-section  of  the  land  sei)a- 
latiiiij,'  them. 

This  line  was  taken  aloiifj-  the  Seattle  Coal  Company's  tramway,  be- 
cause this  was  situateil  on  the  lowest  fjround,  and  was  a  line  already 
cleared  of  trees  and  unde;brush.  Altliou^h  this  is  not  a  straight  line, 
it  is  near  enoujih  so  for  our  present  i>uri)ose. 

The  distance  l>etween  the  lakes  by  this  route  (which  is  the  shortest) 
is  (581  yards. 

Lake  Washinjiton  was  7  feet  hiiiher  than  T^ake  Union  at  the  time  the 
hivelinjx  was  done.  The  highest  point  of  .ground  between  the  two  is  31 
feet  above  Lake  Union. 

\\'e  were  informed  by  intelliji'ent  and  reliable  persons  livinj;'  in  this 
vicinity  that  the  water  of  Lake  Washinj^ton,  during'  a  dry  season,  was 
about  lA  feet  below  what  we  found  it;  and  dunng  a  wet  season  about 
1  feet  above,  giving  it  a  range  of  about  5^  feet.  In  Lake  L'nion  the 
water  falls  1  foot  and  rises  L*  under  similar  cinnimstances,  according  to 
information  received  from  the  same  sources.  Tli's  would  give  it  a  ra  nge 
of  :J  leet. 

li  will  be  noticed  i'roin  the  soundings  in  Lake  Washington  that  at 
Union  Lay  tlie  water  is  comparatively  sinUlow,  varying  from  L*  to  o 
fathoms.  Here  considerable  dredging  would  be  re(]uired  to  obtain  the 
requisite  depth  for  a  ship-canal.  The  bottom  is  of  very  soft  mud,  which 
seems  to  be  of  considerable  depth. 

On  the  western  end  of  this  line,  at  Lake  Union,  the  same  features  are 
observable. 

The  ground  between  the  two  lakes  seems  to  be  composed  of  coarse 
gravel  and  sand.     Xo  rock  exca station,  I  thiidv,  need  be  antici|)ated. 

If  these  lakes  were  connecte<l  by  a  camd,  and  the  level  of  i^ake  Wash- 
ington brought  to  that  of  Lake  Union,  much  valuable  land  would  be 
reclaimed  for  agricultural  pur])oses,  especially  along  the  borders  of  the 
Sainmamish  lUver  and  Lake. 

At  the  southern  end  of  Lake  Union  are  the  eastern  termini  of  the  two 
lines  run  from  this  lake  to  Dwamish  Lay.  One  in  a  westerly  direction 
A'ia  Mercer's  farm,  the  other  southerly  via  Seattle  Coal  Company's  tram- 
way. 

By  the  lirst  of  tliese  routes  along  the  line  on  which  the  section  is 
taken  the  distance  is  1,7U2  yards.     Uy  the  second  '  t  is  l*,0'JD  yards. 


rORTinCATIONS  UPOX  PUGET  SOUND.  1 ') 

The  liij^host  iM)iiit  of  land  passed  ovor  aloii-;'  ilio  lirst  is  H'.i.:)  fi-cr 
al)ove  lii«'li  water  oftlie  bay.     Alon;^-  the  secioiid  it  is  1 1(1..")  iVet. 

The  lie.shl  of  Lake  Union  al»ove  the  hij:h  water  of  the  hav  is  11..") 
fe  ^t. 

This  lijo],  water,  or  zero  (0),  to  wliieh  the  levels  are  referred,  is  the 
1*.  ."\I.  lii,yli  watei' of  AunMst  15.  1871. 

On  account  of  onr  short  stay  in  this  locality  we  weic  nnalile  to  make 
any  tidal  observations  from  uliieh  to  establish  the  plane  of  mean  hi;;!i 
or  mean  low  water;  nor  could  we  lind  any  IxmicIi  mark  in  the  neinlil)(»r- 
hood  that  was  icferred  to  such  a  i»lane. 

Takinji- the  (0)  then  as  we  have  sni)poseil,  we  have  at  the  time  the 
levels  Ave  re  made: 

lli.uli  water  in  the  liay 0 

^\'!lt('I•  of  Lake  1  iiioii   I  I    "i     I  ,  ■  y 

AViittTofLakc  Wasliiiijrt.m le'.:,    ^  JJili.T.iHf,  T  . 

Introducing-  the  infornmtion  previously  referred  to  relative  to  the  rise 
antl  fall  of  the  water  in  the  lakes,  we  liave  : 

1ii;;h  water  of  tlic  bay 0 

Exticnin  low  water  of  Lakr  I'liion in..")  }  ,  .  .. 

i:\treiiic  tow  watcrof  l.ako  VVasIiinivtoii IT'  ^  l^iUficiite,  (I,.'). 

Kxtrciuc  lii^^li  water  of  Lake  Ciiion. i:!'..".  }  j^-,,. 

KxtriMiic  liii^li  walcrofLak.'  Wa.Nliiiiutoii •>-^'.',  s  'J'''''"'""''''  •'  • 

Mean  lc\cl  of  Lak(!  I'liion j-j'  i     . 

M.aii  level  ofj.ake  V/asliiii- ton lii.?:,  (  I'lller-'iie,-,  T'.:". 

r>esi<les  the  two  routes  surveyed  from  Lake  I'nion  to  the  bay  there  is 
one  by  way  of  the  outlet  of  tliis  lake,  which  seems  to  be  ])racti"cable,  al- 
thon<;h  nor  so  much  so  as  either  of  the  other  two. 

AVe  received  no  instructions  to  survey  this  route,  and  eonse(iuently 
it  was  left  until  such  a  time  as  the  [)roi)er  atithorities  may  deem  it  ad- 
visable to  have  a  comi)lete  and  accurate  survey  unuleof  all  this  section 
ol"  country,  with  a  view  to  makino-  accurate  estimates  of  cost  and  locatin- 
<letinirely  the  route  of  a  canal. 

Accompanying?  tliis  report  1  have  tlie  honor  to  transmit  one  sheet,  be- 
iny-  a  tracing-,  showin;^'  the  i)laiis  ano  sections  of  the  routes  surveyed, 
and  also  of  a  mapof  J^ake  \Vashin,L;ton  and  vicinity,  made  in  the  Tnited 
►States  Surveyor  Oenerafs  Ollice. 

The  soundings  nnule  iu  the  lakes  are  i)lotted  on  tins  tracing-  in  red  ink 
and  e.\j)ressed  in  fathoms. 

Kespectfully  subudtted. 

TlIOS.    H.    IIAXDIR'RY, 

First  Lieut,  (if  En(fin<:eyH. 

Office  Board  of  Exgini;i]rs  for  the  Pacific  Coast, 

»S'((M  Francisco,  C((l.,  J)€ceiiibcr  Lj,  1871. 
A  true  coi)y  from  the  records  of  this  ofHce  sent  to  the  Chief  of  En- 
gineers, with  re])ort  of  Lieut.  Col.  15.  S.Alexander,  Corps  of  Engineers, 
of  this  date. 

TlIOS.    IL    llANDIURY, 

First  Lieut,  of  Emiineers, 
Recorder  of  the  Board. 
Lieut.  Col.  I>.  S.  Alioxaxder, 

President  Board  of  Fuf/inars  for  the  Facijic  Coast. 


!j  i 


16 


FORTIFICATIONS    ITOX    I'UGFT   SOUND. 


IIeau(^uartkks  Department  of  the  Columisia, 

\'(nicoi(Vcr  lUirrovUs,  ^V^^sh,^  Ji'hj  7,  ISSj. 

Sir:  I  (U'sire  nf>iiiii  ti)  cull  .itlention  to  the  iinportanco  of  tlje  Ibrtili- 
catious  iit  tlu'  t'iitiaii(;e  of  I'lifjet  Sound. 

In  ('oiiii)any  witii  Colonel  ]Meiul(!ll,  INIajor  Jones,  and  Capt.iin  Powell, 
of  tlie  Enjiincer  Coips,  I  have  recently  visited  the  principal  ]>ointsthat 
have  been  heretofore  mentioned  in  several  coniniunications  Ivoni  these 
head(inarters,  and  an»  fully  inijaessed  willi  the  necessity  of  the  (lovern- 
nient  takinfj  such  action  as  ^Yill  secure  proper  defense  to  the  great  com- 
mercial interests  of  J'nget  Sound  ;  these  are  constantly  increasing  every 
year,  and  havc^  now  reache«l  such  magnitude  as  to  become  of  mitional 
interest. 

3Iaiiy  reports  have  been  forwarded  and  are  now  on  tile  in  the  War 
Dej)artnu'nt,  and  i)articularly  in  the  olllce  of  tlie  Chief  Engineer  of  the 
Army. 

Last  year  J  detailed  .a  ]>oard  of  experienced  oflicers,  consisting  of 
]Major  Kodf^ers,  Cai>tain  Taylor,  and  (Jai)taiu  INIacMurry  to  examine  the 
subject,  and  their  report  was  forwarded  to  J)i vision  Jleadquarters. 

Many  valuable  points  have  been  reserved,  but  I  regard  the  two  main 
entrances  to  Puget  Sound  as  of  the  lirst  importance  for  present  consid- 
eration, viz,  Admiralty  Inlet  and  Deception  Pass. 

Suitable  ground  comiminding  tiie  entrance  to  Deception  Pass  has 
been  reserved  by  the  (lov<>rninent.  That  at  Admiralty  Head,  Point 
Wilson,  and  ]Marrowstone  Point  has  been  reserved  only  in  part,  and  a 
suflicient  sum  should  be  appropriatt^d,  in  addition  to  that  required  for 
defensive  works,  to  secure  a  pernuinent  title  for  the  Government. 

One  objection  to  any  action  being  taken  towards  the  defense  of  this 
inlet  has  been  the  distance  between  Point  Wilson  and  Admiralty  Head, 
about  4  miles,  but  this  it  is  believed  can  be  greatly  overcome  now  by 
the  use  of  modern  appliaiu^es. 

I  recommend  that  the  attemion  of  Congress  bu  called  to  this  subject 
in  time  for  action  during  the  coming  session. 

The  British  (xovernment  is  now  expending  a  very  large  amount  of  money 
in  completing  its  navy-yard  and  dry-ilocks  at  Ks(iuimault,  near  Vic- 
toria, British  Columbia,  and  has  kept  during  the  past  ten  years  from 
a  single  ship  of  war  to  a  small  tleet  in  those  waters,  and  1  think  it  ad- 
\isable  that  our  (Jovernment  should  take  an  equal  interest  in  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  naval  station  in  this  j)art  of  tlie  United  States. 

Several  reservations  have  been  made  on  tiie  Strait  of  Fuca',and  Puget 
Sound  tor  naval  pur^joses. 

What  point  is  best  suited  for  all  the  requirements  of  the  Xavy  could 
probably  best  be  determined  by  a  Jjoard  composed  of  naval  otUcers. 

Lake  Washington,  near  Seattle,  has  many  advantages  for  such  a  pur- 
pose, it  being  a  lake  of  fresh  water  of  great  depth,  and  iu  close  prox- 
imity to  the  dee})  water  of  the  sound. 

I  request  this  communication  be  referred  to  Colonel  Meiulell  for  re- 
mark. 

Very  resi^ectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

Nkl.son  a.  Miles, 
Byit/diUer-Gencral,  Coniiitaittlin<i. 

To  the  Assistant  ADJUTANT-(iENERAL, 

Division  of  the  Pacific;, 

rresidio,  San  Francisco,  CaJ. 


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roRTiriCATioNx  iTov  ih:(}KT  sound. 


17 


[FIlHt  ini'.oMi'tmiit.l 

IlKAi)(jrAUTi:us  Division  of  iiih  Pa(;ific, 

I'trnidlo  of  iSan  Francisco,  (.'(th,  -Inhi  l.'J,  1885. 

IJc'spoctt'ullyrelVrnMl  to  tlie.soui()r(:Mi<,'iii(nM'  oHiccrof  the  Tiici fie  coast, 
San  Fraii('is('(),  ('al.,  lor  rciiiarks. 
liy  c'oimnainl  ol'Miijor-tii'iicral  I'ope. 

J.  «'.  Kki.tox, 

Assistant  A>IJi'f((iit-(icii(  ntl. 

[Secfuiil  inliitMcmfiit.) 

U.  y.  EN(iixKKi;  OrnrE, 
San  Francisco,  Cat.,  Jidi/  14,  188."!. 

IJespectfiilly  letuniLMl  to  tlie  Assistant  Acljiitant-doncral,  Iloadciuar- 
tors  Division  oftlu'  racifie. 

Wliile  concurriiii;"  in  tlio  iinportaiico  ot*  jtrcparations  for  tlic  defense 
of  Pn^et  Sonnd,  it  seems  to  nu^  tliat  of  iSan  I-'raneiseo  and  of  our  ]ijreat 
coniniereial  ports  on  tiie  Atlantic,  coast  siioiiid  lirst  be  assnred. 

In  this  connection  it  is  understoo<l  tliat  by  act  of  Cotij^iess  passed  at 
its  last  session  the  whole  snbjecit  of  i)oints  to  be  defended  has  been  re- 
ferred, for  re[)ort,  to  a  mixed  lioard  of  Orti(;ers  of  tiie  Army  and  of  the 
Navy  and  (►f  civilians,  ]>resided  over  l)y  the  Secretary  of  ^Var. 

C.  Seafoutii  Stkwaim', 

Colonel  EiKjinccn^. 

[ Tliiiil  iiiil'ii'Si'ineiit.  1 
IIi:AD(,tUAUTEll.S   J  )I  VISION   OF   THE    TACIFir, 

Frcsidio  of  &(a  Francisco,  (,'aJ.,  'lull/  1<!,  1885. 

llespectfully  forwarded  to  the  Adjutant-(ieneral  of  the  Army. 

-Ino.  I'OPE, 
Major-iicneral,  Conmiandinu. 

:F<)uil!i  iiiiioi^t'iiu'iit.) 

.  Wau  Depaktment,  Adjutant-General's  Offiue, 

Washington,  Jnli/  2r>,  1885. 

Tiespectfully  referred  to  the  Chief  of  Eiif^ineers,  to  wlM)m  the  report 
of  Board  of  Ollicers  within  mentioned  was  referred  from  this  ollice  on 
the  21st  Xovember,  188-i. 
By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 

C.  McKeevek, 
Assistant  Adjufant-Gcnerai  in  Charge. 


! 


Vancouver  Barracks,  Wash.,  October  11, 1881. 
Sir:  The  board  of  ofiicers  convened  pursuant  to  the  followin*;-  order: 

Headql'autkks  ])i:i>ai!tmi:nt  uv  tiik  ConMniA, 

I'micouvvr  Barracks,  H'anlt.,  October  2,  l^i»4. 
Spixial  Oudkus  I  * 

No.  U'^.  S 
(•2)  A  lioard  of  Ollicers,  to  consist  of  MaJ.  Joliii  I.  Kodgers,  First  Artillery;  Capt.  V. 
E.  Taylor,  First  Artillery,  ami  Capt.  J.  W.  MacMurray,  First  Artillery,  A.  E.  O.,  will 
jiroceed  Moiulay,  OctoWer  (i,  or  as  soon  tliereat'ter  as  practieablti,  to  tlio  entrance  of 
i'aj^et  Soniul,  Wasliinijton  Territory,  and  sni'h  otiier  i)oinrs  as  niav  be  necessary,  and 
examine  tlie  sites  which  are  retained  by  the  Gtvoinnient  lor  military  reserves  and 

S.  Ex.  1G5 2 


is 


i'()irnriCATi(>x>  ri'<>\  ri'(;r,T  sor.Mi. 


witliliiltl  [or  (hl'.ii-ivi  ]iiii  poM's,  |iiiiti(iil;ii  ly  llmsc  in  ilic  \  i.  iniiy  dI  l'...f  i'in\  rix-iiil 
iiiiil  I  >t'ic|iii(iii   I'mss.  \\'iislnii;;tiiii  'i".iiit(ir\  . 

Till-  Koiird  will  1.  iinit  u  lint,  in  it>  Ki.iiiiMii,  is  llic  iiioition  n!'  iliv  liiM  iniccrlimi  <•  I'ni' 
iM(ii|iiitiiiii  li.v  lrii()|is  iMiil  llic  Nlri'ii^iJi  ul  ;;;iirM()n  m-fCNsjirv  inr  ili.- mimii',  ;inil  will 
Miliriiil  isliiiiiilfs  CKVriiii-  llii'  |iii>li;(lii<'  cusi  ol  tlir  ciinsl nictii'ii  of  siiilulilc  ili'lriixiN c 
wdiKm,  iiiiii  tlic  rf(|iii.sil('  l>mlfliii;;s  osi'iil  iiil  Inr  the  sIn'ltiT  ami  ariiniiiiHiiliiiioii  of  tiic 
lr(Hi|iM  iiiiil  hii|i|iiit'.s  wliicli  limy  cirrcli vrly  ^iiiiisdii  llir  smnr, 

'I'lif  iictiMy;  cii-iiiici' ollir'iT  ol'  (lie  ilcinirlmcnt  will  I'limi^li  llic  linaid  with  the  nt-i'. 
rsNary  inaiis  and  nmcIi  ii|li(i:il   inlni  mal  ion  from   tin-  lii.s  ,,\'  |ii>  utlnr  a«.  w  i  1  t'aiililati' 

ilM  Will  i^. 

'I'll'' Junior  im  mljir  oi   the  lioaii!  w  ill  art  as  icvoidiT. 

I'lmn  i'oni|di'tion  of  lliis  duly  IIh-  nii'nihiT.s  ol'  tin-  I'oaid  will  n  jdlii  ilicir  ]iri>iu-r 
stalMins. 

Thr  lia\i'l  lii'iciii  diriili'd  is  n -.salN    loi-  tin'  |inldii'  .scrv  ice. 

I!y  (irdi  I' of  |5i  iuailirr-(  icnn al  Mile-. 


<  '>c.\l!    I  .   l,i>Vli, 
.Ifltini  J.^^iihiiil  .Idiiihinl-drni  III !. 


Olliciai. 


liiis  tlic  liDiioi'  t(t  ii'spi'ft  fully  snhiiiit  the  lullowiiio  rrpnii  : 

'lilt'  r.oiirtl  met  <  )('t(iin'r  tl,  all  t  lie  inciiibt'is  hciii^'  )>r»'S('iit,  iiinl  jno- 
c(hm[(mI  to  the  ()tli(!»*-  of  tlii'  rcoistcr  <»f  tlie  Liiited  States  Lainl  Oflic*'  at 
Olyiiipia.  Wash..  aii«l  thcic  cxaiiiiiitMl  the  state  of  llu'  titles  to  the  I'liited 
States  military  res«'i\  at  ions  as  declared  by  the  I'resident  in  an  lOxi-eii- 
tivc  Ordeidated  Septeiuhei'  21',  LStK!,  at  tlie  entrance  to  Admiralty  In- 
let, the  principal  jtassaue  to  the  wateis  of  IMifiCt  Sound,  atnl  at  l>ecep- 
tion  j'ass — all  in  W'ashinj^ton  'l"ei  litory,  in  the  vicinity  ot'  Port  Town- 
send. 

'I'he  I'.oard  obtained  from  the  I'nited  States  Land  ( )flice  an  officially 
certilied  abstract  of  the  titles  to  tlu^  land  at  NN'ilson's  Point,  Admiralty 
Head,  ami  at  Mairowstone  Point,  which  is  snbmitted  herewith  ;  also  a 
nni]>  sho\vin.u'  what  icmaiiis  of  these  original  reservations  IteloMiiinfj"  to 
the  I'nited  State.>. 

As  to  the  iescr\  at  ions  at  Di'ception  Pass,  and  Islands  ^f.A,  and  Mo.  U, 
the  iJoai'd  examined  the  titles,  and  found  the  records  of  the  land  oftice 
show  tluMii  to  betciii;'  to  the  I'nited  Slates. 

The  resulted'  this  examination  shows  that  the  Uidted  States  has  no 
title  to  any  jjortion  of  the  reserved  lands  at  I'oint  Wilson  or  at  Adnd- 
lalty  Head.  The  small  lots  at  these  points  used  by  the  United  Stat«'s 
lor  lijiht-lionse  ]mri)osos  were,  pnrchased  from  the.  ])rivate  owneis.  At 
Maii'owstone  Point,  while  the  title  of  private  individuals  and  of  the 
Territory  for  university  purj)oses  has  lieeii  a«lmitted  at  tlu'  landotlice  to 
]iart«of  the  military  reservation  as  declared  at  this  i)oiut,  still  the  title 
to  the  most  valuable  part  for  the  construction  of  batteiies  remains  in 
the  Tinted  States. 

The  IJoard  ])rocee<led  to  Port  Townsend,  situated  near  the  mouth  of 
Adnuralty  Inlet.  Althouj^h  it  had  become  evident  that  the  Tiiited 
States  has  no  title  remainin.<;'  to  any  of  the  lands  included  in  the  nuli- 
tary  reservatiitns  as  declared  by  the  President  at  Wilson's  Point  and 
at  Admiralty  Head,  these  jilaces,  tojicther  with  Marrowstone  Point,  pre- 
sented themselves  tothe  JJoard  as  the  only  suitable  points  for  occupa- 
tion in  an  effort  to  control  the  navij;atio'i  of  the  waters  yf  Admiralty 
Inlet  by  land  batteries. 

The  Board  visited  all  these  i)laces,  aiul  made  as  careful  an  exannna- 
tioii  of  the  topojiiajdiy  of  the  jiround  as  ])0ssible,  and  studied  the  rela- 
tions of  these  jtoints  to  each  other  for  defensive  j»urposes. 

Wilson's  Point  is  a  ruyged  blutf,  L*(IO  leetliigb,  covered  with  a  growth 
of  large  fir  tiees  and  a  dense  undergrowth.  At  its  base  a  low  sand 
sj)it  extends  about  oOO  yards  into  the  inlet  towards  Admiralty  Head, 
distant  about  4  jniles. 


leng^ 
In 
risoni 
strenl 
trooif 
Till 
ten  ([ 
the 

Ov[ 
ion  til 


FORTIFICATIONS    UPON    rUOKT    SOUND. 


r.» 


ijicr 


( 


I 


Admiralty  IIimiI  is  on  tlic  opposite  sidt^  of  the  inlet  on  \Vlii<ll>v'.s 
Isliuid.  It  is  ii  lilnlViilxmt  >>'>  lei't  lii;;li.  Al)i)iit  IK  iicres  at  tlie  extrenn* 
]M)int  is  tinilcr  cult  iv.ition,  iinil  It'iiinii  lliisopi'ii  licM  tliici;  lir  wootls 
(•Ntcnd  to  (he  M(»it  li  ami  east. 

.Mairowstoiie  Point  is  a  hliitV  ahuit  IJO  teet  liiuli,  tiinb.'reil  and 
densely  o\ci';4io\vn  with  nnilerl»i  M-ili.  It  is  ahoiit  I  mmIi's  inside  and  op- 
posite t  lie  a  I  on!  1 1  of  Admiralty  I  n  let,  on  tiie  south  side  ot'  the  en  I  la  nee 
to  Port  Townsend  i>ay.  Point  iludsiutisoi  t  he  (»pposite  sidti  ol'  t  he 
l»ay,  distant  aliont  L' [  miles.  The  distance  of  Mariowstoiu'  Point  iVoni 
Itotli  i\dnnralty  Head  and  Wils m's  Point  is  ahout  1  nnles  At  'ts  Iiaso 
on  tlu!  ea.st  side  there  is  a  low  ,nia\(dly  sand  bank,  inidosiuj;'  sonu)  low, 
aiable  land,  which  is  cultivated  as  a  <;'ar(len  by  a  Mr.  SaluKUi,  \vho  said 
he  rented  it  at  •'r<.](»  per  year  from  ]\[ajoi'  \'aii  P.okkelen,  who  it  appears 
claims  title  ton  part  of  .Marrowstone  Point,  where  the  rectords  of  the 
I'nited  States  l.aiid  Ollice  show  title  to  rest  in  the  I'nited  States. 

There  are  wood  oi'  country  I'oads  Iroin  I'oint  Wilson  leadinj''  alony 
the  water,  over  the  hills,  and  throuj^h  the  woods  to  Pent  Townsend,  and 
thence  up  the  bay,  and  ovi  !■  to  Port  Discovery. 

'I'here  is  a  country  'oud  leading  irom  Adnuralty  llea<l  north  to  towns 
on  NN'hidby's  Island,  and  in  the  direction  of  Deception  Passaj^e.  The 
land  ap]»ears  to  be  paitly  wooded  and  partly  (tpen. 

There  are  lu)  roads  at  Marrowstone  Point. 

'J'lie  indications  at  all  tlu'se  intiutsshov  the  land  to  liaNc  been  fornieil 
undei'  water,  and  it  consists  of  beds  of  clay,  sand,  and  drift  and  ]»eat. 
As  to  I'resli  water,  there  is  no  runinn;^'  stream  at  any  of  these  places.  It 
is  doubtfid  whether  ;4()od  water,  lit  lor  use,  could  beoblaineil  from  w»dls 
at  Wilson's  Point  oi'  at  ]\Iairowstone.  TIm'  li;4ht  Iceeper  at  Adnuralty 
Head  says  there  is  a  well  there,  but  he  dei»en(Ls  on  cisterns,  and  it  is 
evident  that  a.  <;arrisi)n  at  any  of  these  points  would  have  to  <lepend  on 
cisterns  for  IVesh  w  ater. 

The  navijiiible  \'  iters  of  the  whole  of  Pu^i'et  Sound  are  very  dcei). 
The  shores  are  bold  and  the  beaches  shelve  otf  at  on(!o  into  <leei:  wati'r. 
The  .u'leat  troul)le  with  all  the  i)orts  is  the  j;reat  de[)th  of  water,  and  it 
is  said  that  Port  Townseutl  in  that  respect  affords  the  best  ancliora<4e 
on  the  sonml. 

As  to  the  relative  importance  of  Wilson's  Point,  Marrowstone  Point, 
and  Admiralty  Head  for  placinj^'  jiuns  to  command  tluMudrauiie,  the 
JJoard  is  of  the  opiiuon  that  the  fortilu^ation  of  any  one  of  these  points 
alone  would  not  j^ivi?  <;ontrol  over  tlu^  mivi<;atu)n  of  the  inlet ;  that  these 
points  are  of  equal  imi)()rtan(!e  and  entirely  dependent  on  each  other  for 
any  value. 

The  erection  of  batteries  at  Point  Wilson  and  at  Adnuralty  Head 
would  necessarily  cause  a  vessel  attemptinj;  to  enter  the  iidet  to  pu.ss 
within  a  nniximum  vanj;e  of  -J  ndles  of  one  or  the  other  of  tin?  two  bat- 
teries; that  fortilieation  of  all  three  of  these  points  would  place  the  ves- 
sel under  these  circumstances  under  a  heavy  (aoss  lire  for  a  still  .ureater 
lenf;tli  of  time. 

In  the  ()[>inion  of  the  JJoard,  all  three  of  tiiese  points  should  be  gar- 
risoned as  soon  as  the  batteries  are  constructed,  an«l  the  j)erMianent 
strength  of  the  j^arrison.s  should  not  be  less  than  two  companies  of 
troops  at  each  place. 

The  Board  would  recommend  that  batteries,  consistinji'  of  not  less  than 
ten  (10)  rifled  ^uns  ami  from  eij^ht  (8)  to  twelve  (Hi)  rifted  mortars  of 
the  largest  calit)er  and  greatest  penetration,  be  eretJted  at  these  points. 

Owing  to  the  distance  between  these  i>laces,  the  Board  is  of  the  opin- 
ion that  none  but  rilled  ordnance  should  be  placed  iu  position. 


20 


FORTIFICATIONS    UPON    rUGET    SOl'XD. 


If  tlie  liiyli  <;i't>"n«l  i>t  Toint  ^Vil^^oIl  slioiiM  bo  selected  for  tlie  site, 
open  batteries  of  eaitb,  ^ith  a  i)ara])et  of  40  leet  tliickiiess,  would  an- 
swer. At  Adniiialty  Head  and  at  31arrowstone  I'oint  tlie  batteries 
would  necessarily  be  ])la('ed  on  tlie  bluffs. 

If  tlie  low  sand  spit  at  Toint  AV'ilson  should  be  select t-d,  the  site  would 
be  below  the  level  of  the  shii>'s  puns,  and  iron  turret  or  casemate  bat- 
teries would  be  necessaiy. 

AVhilst  the  iiiendieis  ol'  the  l>oard  are  uot  af^reed  ujiou  the  selection 
of  "the  i)osition  of  first  in»i)ortance  for  occupation  by  trooi)s,"  it  ma;.' 
be  stated  her»^  that  the  only  jiosition  at  present  in  a  condition  for  the 
building'  of  batteiies  and  the  erection  of  the  necessary  buiklin<;s  for  a 
garrison  is  Admiralty  J  lead. 

So  far  as  Deception  Pass  is  concerned,  the  J^oard  would  not  recom- 
mend any  fortilication  there  at  the  ])reseiit  time.  The  ])assajie  is  nar- 
row, not  more  than  \~A)  yai'ds  wide  at  its  narrowest  jiart,  but  little  used, 
and  of  great  dilliculty  of  navigation,  e.\cei)t  at  slackwater.  In  the 
opinion  of  the  J>oai(l,  in  the  event  of  hostilities,  it  could  be  easily  ob- 
structed. 

As  regards  the  estimated  cost  of  the  batteries,  and  the  necessary 
buildings  for  the  accommodation  of  troops,  the  15oard  submits  estimates 
obtained  from  the  l-^ngiiieer's  and  Quartermaster's  departments. 

Tor  the  building  of  the  batteries,  covered  ways,  serxice  magazine, 
laying  jtlat forms,  etc.,  *! 50,000  at  each  jihu^e. 

I'or  the  building  ot'  quarters  for  commanding  ofiicer,  two  cai)taius, 
six  lieutenants,  surgeons,  (;ommissary,  oidnance,  and  (juartermaster.v 
sergeants,  barracks  lor  t\\()  (;omi»anies,  hosi>ital  (IL*  beds),  commissary, 
(|uarterniastt'i,  and  ordnance  store-houses,  quartermaster's  stables,  und 
magazine  or  powder  house,  commanding  officer's  office,  adjutant's  office, 
and  guard-house,  $58,000. 

The  r>oard  einleavored  to  ascertain  as  niiicli  information  bearing  on 
the  commercial  importance  of  the  waters  of  Tuget  iSound  as  possible. 
It  called  on  the  collector  of  the  i)ort  at  Tort  Townsen<l  to  obtain  the 
shii)i)ing  statistics  of  liis  office,  but  he  was  absent  and  not  expected  to 
leturn  for  two  weeks.  The  Board  made  api»lica.tion  in  writing  for  this 
information,  and  when  it  is  received  it  will  be  ai»pended. 

The  industries  on  Tuget  Sound  are  rei)resented  by  the  logging  and 
saw-mill  inteiests,  and  ct)al  mines  and  the  trans[)()rtation  of  lumber  and 
coal  to  a  market. 

A  large  number  of  ships  are  occui)ied  in  this  trade  to  ports  within 
and  outside  of  the  United  States. 

The  Board  had  to  take  such  information  as  it  could  glean  and  gather 
from  observation  and  incjuiry.  It  visiu-d  these  jdaces  in  inclement 
weather  and  under  adverse  circumstances.  It  colle(!ted  as  full  data  as 
possible,  which  is  hereto  ajipended  as  extracts  froni  published  state- 
ments of  statisti(!s  on  matters  of  commercial  importance. 

Ivcspectfully  submitted. 

.iNO.    I.    KoDGEKS, 

M((Ji>y  Firfif  Arfillc)'!/. 
FiiANK  "E.  Taylor, 

('(il>t(iin  First  Aytillcri/, 

J.    W.    MAOMrHKAV, 

Capiidit  Tirtsf  Artillcyi/. 
To  the  Assistant  Adjutant-CIenkual, 

DETAKTMENT  of  the  ('i»Ll>;i3IA. 

VaiKoin'cr  liar  racks,  Woisli. 


FOIITIFICATIOXS    Ul'OX    PiGHT    SOUND. 


21 


IlEADi^UAKTERS    DErAUTMENT    OF   THE   CoLUMTilA, 

Office  of  Chief  Kmiineeu, 
Vanconrer  Barracks,   ]V((slt.,  Ocloher  20,  1884. 

kSiR  :  1  iiiclo.so  luM'owith  roi)()rt  of  Uoiiid  of  ol'lituTs  convened  by  .s{)e- 
cial  order  No.  148,  lle;i<l(iu;;rters  ])ei)icrtnient  of  the  Colninbia,  October 
L',  1884,  with  iiiclosnr(>s. 

Very  respectfnlly,  your  obedient  .servant. 

,J.   \V.   M.AoMrKKAV, 
Captain  First  Artillcri/,  Assisfauf  Cliief  J'Jiif/ini'i'r's  Ojjicr, 

liccordcr,  Hoard  (fijicers. 
Assistant  AD.irTANT-dENEUAL, 

l)ErAKT:MKNT    OF   THE   (.'OLriMlJIA, 

]'aHC()urer  Jiarracks,  ]Va.sh. 

[First  iiiiiorsi'ineiit.  I 
IlEADQUAKTEnS    1)EPA1{TME>T    OF  THE    COLFMniA. 

Vanconrer  Barracks,   Wash.,  J\'()rciiiher  1,  1884. 

lves])(H;tridiy  foiwiirded  to  the  Adjutant-Oenera!  of  the  Army  (thronji'li 
nead<[uarters  Division  of  the  Paeilie)  in\itinj4'  attention  to  the  initloscd 
rei)ort. 

Jt  is  a  matter  of  snri)rise  that  this  imi)ortant  liarboi'  and  entrance  to 
I'ufret  iSonnd  has  been  so  lon.^-  ne,uleeted.  The  very  .yreat  im|)ortan(;e 
of  th<'  commercial  interests  already  established  an<l  in  raj)id  develojf- 
ment  should,  in  my  o|)inion,  leeeive  the  same  ]>rotection  as  is  {^iven  to 
lik(!  interests  aiul  ])laces  in  other  jiarts  of  the  country. 

The  object  of  sendin.u'  this  ])oard  to  the  points  nanxMl  in  the  order 
is  to  take  initiatory  steps  towards  brinj;in,i;'  tins  subject  to  the  a.tteution 
of  the  (lovernmeiit.  N'»'ith  this  view  and  the  informati(m  cont. lined  in 
the  report,  and  tli(>  fact  that  there  has  been  <|tnte  a  iiumt»er  of  militaiy 
and  naval  reservations  established  on  the  Sound,  I  would  ivcommend 
the  ajjpointment  by  the  I'resicU'Ut  of  a  IJoard,  composed  of  ollicers  of 
the  Army  and  Navy,  to  designate  jjoiids  of  the  first  inii)ortance,  and 
tliat  api>ropriation  of  a  sufiicient  sum  be  asked  of  ('oni^ress  to  put  such 
l»oints  in  a  defensible  (-ondition. 

Nelson  A.  IMiees, 
Britindicr-dencral,  Conhnaiidinf/. 


[SiM-Diiil  iiiilorsi'iii  nt.l 

J1j:au(,>uarteks  Division  of  tiii:  rAciFic, 

Prcsifiio  of  ISan  Francisco,  CaL,  Xorcnihtr  i<,  1884.    " 

JJespectfidly  forv  arded  to  the  Adjutaiit-Cjeneral  of  the  Army.  Tliis 
report  contains  much  valuable  infoi  ination  coiu'crnin;^' the  ecuMiition  and 
l)hysical  characteristics  of  llu'  reservatiiuis  for  defensive  jinrposes  in 
I'ns'et  Sonml  dechn'ed  by  the  President.  It  ai)i)ears  that  the  Oovern- 
inent  has  lost  possession  of  several  of  the  most  important  ]>oints  for  de- 
fensiv(^  works,  and  t  seems  to  me  that  the  title  to  these  places  should, 
in  some  numner,  be  recovered  to  the  United  States. 

This  sort  of  defensive  works  needed  and  tluir  armanu'iit  and  cost  i)er- 
tain  to  other  departnuMits  of  the  sei'vice,  and  I  withhold  my  comments 
upon  that  part  of  the  report. 

,Tno.    I'ol'E. 
Major-General^  Commanding. 


\- 


22 


FORTIFICATIONS    I 'PON    PUGET    SOUND. 


[Third  inilor.seiiii'ut.] 

War  Department, 
Adjutant-General's  Office, 

WoKhinnton,  Kovemher  21,  18SA. 

Respectfully  roferretl  to  the  Chief  of  Engineers  for  remark. 

To  be  returned. 

By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 

.  II.  C.  Drum. 

xid}i(tant-(iC)teraL 

[Fourth  iiiilor.siiiii-'iit.] 

Office  Chief  of  Engineers, 

r,  S.  Army, 

Scptevihcr  11,  1885. 

Eespectfullv  returned  to  the  Adjutant-General,  U.  S.  Army. 
1  recommend  that  this  matter  be  i)Ostponed  until  it  can  be  ascertained 
whether  it  is  the  intention  of  the  Government  to  establish  a  naval  sta- 
tion in  or  about  the  waters  of  Puget  Souinl, 

Inasmuch,  also,  as  the  subject  of  the  defenses  of  the  more  important 
harbors  of  the  United  States  has  been  referred  to  a  Eortilication  Board, 
presided  over  by  tiie  Secretary  of  War,  it  would  seem  proper  that  these 
papers  should  be  submitted  to  that  Board  for  action. 

John  Newton, 

Chic/  of  Jvuf/inccrs, 
Briff.  'and  Jii't.  M<ij.  Gen. 

[Filth  indorsoniont] 
IlEAD<>UARTERS  OF   TIIE   AR3IV, 

Ad.iut ANT  General's  Office, 
•  Wanldiu/tou,  tScpteiuhcr  12,  1885. 

Bespectfully  submitted  to  the  Secretary  of  War. 

Tt>  the  absence  of  the  Lieuteuant-General  commanding, 

K.  C.  Drum, 

Adjutant-General. 

[Sixth  iiiilorstment.) 

llespectfullv  !eferred  to  Cai)t.  Edward  :\raguire,  Corps  of  Engineers 
Secretary  of  the  Fortittcations  Board,  for  reference  to  the  proper  com- 
mittee. 

William  C.  Endicott, 

Sccretatij  of  War. 

V7ar  Department, 

Sept€ntber2l,  1885. 

[Seventh  iiKlorsfimnt.  I 

United  States  Engineer  Office, 

(ha-C(io,  X.  Y.,  Xove}nber2o,lS85. 

Bespectfully  referred  to  General  John  Newton,  chairnum  of  Commit- 
tee on  "  Ports  to  be  Defended." 

By  direction  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 

Edward  l\rA(njiRE, 
Captain  of  Enci'meera,  1.  S.  A., 

Secretary  of  Board. 


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rORTIFICATIOXS    IToX    PUGET    SOIJXD. 


23 


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i 


i 


United  Statks  ]:ngineer  Office, 

rortldxd,  (h-('fi<»i,'h(l!/  ~i,  1884. 

Sir:  I  liave  tlic  honor  to  invite  attention  in  an  extension  of  onr  sea- 
coast  defenses,  if  the  subject  lias  not  already  leeeived  consideration,  to 
the  need  of  defenses  on  rn^et  Sound  aiul  adjoininj;-  waters  of  Wash- 
ington Territory. 

To  aid  generally  in  the  determination  of  tlie  extent  and  character  of 
surveys  or  other  investijjations  which  maybe  desired  for  sites  for  forti- 
fications on  I'uj^et  Sound  ].>roi)er  and  .Vdiniralty  Inlet,  I  inclose  here- 
with a  ])rint  showinjLj  shores  of  the  deep  water  entrances  to  Pnj^et  Sound 
and  military  I'cservations  there  located,  on  which  entrances,  t'S[)eeially 
Admiralty  lidet,  I  J ndfje,  defenses  are  first  re(]uired. 

Subse(iuently,deleMses  maybe  reqnired  for  I'oit  Discovery,  Fort  An- 
j;elos,  the  ai)i)r<»aciies  to  r>ellin<;ham  May,  and  on  San  .Inan  Island  and 
adjoininj;'  islands  from  wliich  (jlianncls  leadinj;'  from  tln^  Strait  of  Fnca 
to  the  terminus  of  the  Canadian  I'acitic;  Railroad  could  be  commanded. 

Defenses  on  the  entrances  to  I'njict  Sonnd  would  be  for  i)resent  jtro- 
tection  of  the  cities  Port  Townsend,  Seattle,  Tacoma,  and  Olympia,  be- 
sides some  ship-yards  and  large  saw-mill  establishnu'iits. 

I'ort  Townsend  I5ay  is  a  commodious  aiichorage,  wliich  vessels  can 
readily  reach  from  the  sea  without  a  i)ilot.  Seattle  is  the  principal  city 
of  NVashington  Territory.  Olymjjia  is  the  Territorial  cajutal.  Taconni 
is  the  legal  terminus  and  an  important  station  of  the  North  I'acitic  Rail- 
road. Tacoma  ami  Seattle  are  the  only  i)laces  on  the  Northwest  I'a- 
citic  coast  which  are  points  of  delivery  i>f  coal  ir()m  mines  in  the  United 
Stiites. 

Veiy  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

ClfA!-!.  F.  FOWELL, 
Captain  of  Knylnccrs. 

To  the  Chief  of  Engineers,  U.  S.  A. 


United  States  Engineer  Office, 

Fortlanil  Omiou,  Mnrcli  '_'(),  18S4. 

Siu  :  I  have  the  honor  to  invite  the  attention  of  the  (iovernment  to 
the  propriety  of  accpuring  a  site  for  a  naval  establishment  of  the  fir.st 
class  on  Lake  Washington,  Washington  Territoiy. 

IJeasons  for  such  an  establishment  on  our  North  Facilh;  coast  are 
Justly  found  in  its  commercial  growth;  its  extent  of  coast  liiu^,  includ- 
ing as  it  does  the  ramifications  of  Puget  Sound  and  the  nudtitmlinous 
channels  of  Alaska:  its  remoteness  from  the  3Iare  Island  Navy  Yard, 
and  the  presence  of  a  foreign  naval  jtower. 

The  sea  coast  sketched  above  is  separated  into  two  jiarts  by  Ibitish 
(.'olumbia.  Fugland  has  a  imval  depot  with  a  public  graving  dock 
un<ler  construction  at  Escpiimalt  Harbor,  near  \'ictoria,  and  on  the 
southern  extremity  of  Vancouver  Island.  This  island  Juts  forward  into 
the  northwestern  corner  of  Washington,  like  a  nxMiacing  spear-head, 
and  occui)ies  a  comnninding  i)osition  at  the  Jniu;tion  of  the  Straits  of 
Fuca,  Gulf  of  Georgia,  and  Puget  Sound. 

There  is  not  a  suitablt'  site  for  a  navy-yard  on  the  main  coast  north 
of  San  Francisco  Bay;  and  if  there  were,  the  relative  position  of  the 
Sound,  its  nunu'rous  harbors,  and  the  abundaiu;e,  in  the  adjacent  ('otintry, 
of  inanufactui'ing  staples  w(<uld  control  the  sideidion.  Lake  Washing- 
ton, I  Judge,  has  sites  which  will  becoiiu*  of  exce[>tional  advantage'  when 
a  short  canal  to  I'uget  Sound  is  completed. 


u 


FORTIFICATIONS  UPON  FUGET  SOUND. 


ini«).'>>    iiir  \>  HUM"    iiiTiv    ui    Jiiiiu    iruiii    llil^    in    laivr,       i  iiu    ii-.i.m    ^^  mm    «m 

tliis  neck,  wliidi  is  ojiposite  tlio  tido  iliits  of  Seattle  Jlarhor,  is  a  little 
iiioie  tliaii  L'  miles,  ^«'(»i'tli  of  Seattle  tiie  width  is  i'lopi  aliout  4  to  7 
miles.  The  (!onli;;iiratioii  of  the  jiToiind,  iiowever,  jnoteels  the  lake 
from  attack  by  vessels  on  tlie  Sound. 

Lidce  I'uion  is  north  of  Seattle,  and  between  \ai\h-.  AVashinpton  and 
Salmon  I>;iy,  on  Tnjiet  Sound.  The  foi-mer  lake  is  of  much  smaller  ex- 
tent than  tln^  latter,  but  of  eciually  good  depth.  An  addition  to  Seattle 
is  built  on  the  southern  shore  of  Like  Union.  A  canal  for  draina,iieand 
li<4ht-drau.!;lit  navif^ation  froiii  J.ake  Washin<;ton  to  J^ake  Union  has 
been  conuneneed,  and  with  a  view  of  its  extension  to  Salmon  Bay. 
Teh',i:rai»hic  accounts  of  (^)n<4ressional  ))roceedin^s  state  that  the 
House  ',)f  Jiejiresentiitives'  Conimeice  Committee  hax'e  aj^reed  to  favor- 
ably recomnu'iid  a  liill  ibr  this  canal,  Rivinj;'  to  its  <'(Mn]>any  a  .^raiit  of 
land  reclaimed  by  the  lowerinji'  of  the  level  of  Lake  "NVashin^iton. 

As  to  the  feasibility  of  the  canal,  1  have  intbrmation  thiit  the  level  of 
Lake  Washington  issonu*  Tfeet  abovethatof  Lake  Union  ;  tiiat  the  divide 
is  about  1'.")  feet  above  the  former  l('\('l.  and  about  oiu'lburth  mile  lonji'. 
Lake  I'nion  drains  into  a  tidal  slouch  of  Salmon  Lny,  an<l  is  n.7.">  feet 
al)ove  hi{;h-tide  mark.  The  distance  between  the  two  Ie\els  is  about  1 
mile. 

J  Jud<:e  tluit  the  intended  canal  will  l)e  develojied  into  a  ship-canal : 
a  greater  depth  and  nH)re  lenj;lh  to  the  sinj;le  lock  oidy  aic  necessarily 
re(]uired.  A  li;^ht-drau^ht  i)avi.!,;atiou  alufu^  to  Seattle  harbor  could 
be  easily  obtained  I'rnm  the  southern  end  of  Lake  W'ashinjitou.  That 
the  canal  company  disre<;ard  this  ])1ain  ami  important  circumstance 
shows  that  tlu'V  look  beyond  a  rivei'-boat  commerce,  and  ha\(',  for  ad- 
ditional object,  either  laiul  lechunatiou  or  ship  imvi,uation,  or  both. 

That  the  shi])-caniil  will  be  re<piired  appears  reasonable  ami  to  be  ex- 
])ected.  Llliot  J>ay  has  sufficed  for  Seattle's  necessities,  but  her  ,i;Towth 
as  a  liir,ue  commercial  center  ncds  the  n)a<;niHcent  harbins  which  the 
two  lakes  iiear  her  can  furnish.  Present  wlnirfaj^e  is  limited  by  mud 
flats  at  the  head  of  the  bay  and  l)y  exposure  on  the  north  ciul  to  pre- 
vailin,^-  winds,  ^iviny  an  available  shore  lenjith  of  sonu^  1*  miles,  on 
one-half  of  which  only  is  the  ])r()tection  secure.  The  sharp  ])itch  of  the 
bank  to  depths  of  several  fathoms,  without  extensive  dredji'inji',  limits 
dock  ca]»acity.  A  li-foot  run^^e  of  tidii  is  inconvenient.  l>ut  a  more 
serious  drawback  than  any  named  is  an  unusual  destructive  action  of^ 
sea-worms  on  native  timbers,  which  is  shown  by  less  than  one  year's 
life  of  a  lir  i)ile.  There  are  extensive  coal  nunes  near  thi'  foot  of  Lake 
AVasliin^ton,  which  ship  by  rail  to  l^lliot  i}ay,  transportation  of  whose 
])roduct  could  be  more  cheai)Iy  made  to  deep  vessels  from  chutes  onthe 
lake. 

liould  the  subject  of  this  communi<!atiou  be  considered,  I  sn^ij^est 
V'ierence,  Ibr  its  better  nnderstandin.u",  to  the  Coast  Suivey  charts, 
b  .'♦^le  Haibor.  and  Shilshole  Lay,  A\ashin}iton  Territory,  and  to  a 
inaji  of  either  Kiiij^  (,'oniity,  \Vasliin<iton  Territory,  or  a  large-scale  oin^ 
of  the  I'uj'et  Sound  country;  and  also,  for  other  reasons,  to  tli(^  bill 
now  before  Conari'ss  jirantin<>'  certain  riiihts  and  lU'ivileges  to  the  Lake 
Washington  and  Pnget  Sound  Caiml  Company.     1   understand  from 


FORTIFICATIONS    UPON    PUOET    SOUND. 


25 


reiioit  that  an  cxaiiiiiiatioii  ol"  tlic  <inc'stioii  treated  <»!'  >.;!s  niatle  some 
twenty  vear.s  ago  by  (Jeiieral  15.  8.  Alexander. 

I  have  infonnatioii  that  the  (lovcninieiit  has  iu»t  reserved  any  land 
on  Lake  Waslniijitoii,  but  have  no  iiilurinatidu  as  to  i)ri\ate  entries  of 
land  already  made,  neither  itf  any  land  wliich  may  be  held  for  sale  t(» 
the  (Jovernn)ent. 

J'ii.i;et  kSoiunl  includes  the  waters  orijiiimlly  named  as  surh.  Admi- 
ralty Inlet  and  Waslnngton  oound.  Duwamish  IJay  is  I'ow  known  as 
HUiot  or  Seattle  Hay,  Dnwamish  r.a!;e  as  Luke  ^Vasilin,^■tt»n.  and  Shil- 
shole  15 ay  as  Sulmon  I5ay. 

\'ery  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

(Has.  F.   ToAVicLr.. 
('(ijittiiit  oj'  Kiijihtt'vy.s. 
To  tin'  ('niEF  OF   l\.N(ii:sK]:i;s,  r.  .S.  A. 


Office  ]5(»Aun  of  ENiiixFJMfs  von  Fori'ii'icai'ions. 

An.MY  J5i:ir.tJiN(i,  (."oi;.  lloisiox  and  (Iuekn  Sis., 

Xeic  Yorl:  Citji,  •Itinnayj/  15,  187.'). 
General:  Tin*  Doard  of  l'^n.uineers  for  Fort itieations  havinji'  con- 
sidered the  subject  of  a  jtrojioscd  I'cscrvalion  ni>on  San  .luan  Island. 
\Vashin;4"ton  Teri'itory,  which  was  refeii'ed,bv  your  indorsement  of  11th 
instant  npon  a  letter  of  (reneral  Canby.  cominainlinn'  l)ei»ai  tawnt  of 
the  (.'olnmbia,  have  the  honor  to  snbr.iit  the  foIlowiiiL;  report  tluMiMui: 


iM'.roirr. 

In  our  report  of  March  l.">,  ISO!),  upon  tlie  resnlutiou  of  the  Senate 
of  the  United  States  callin,!;"  for  information  regard  in. s^'  the  mihtary  iui- 
portauce  of  the  Island  of  San  .Juan,  we  exincssed  tlie  oj)ini(ni  tiiat  its 
possession  l)y  the  I7niti'd  States  was  of  importaiu.'e,  as  seiuirinu-  to  ns 
uu  anchorajie  whi(;h  could  be  defeinled  by  fortilicatious  aud  whicii  iu 
tinieof  wai'  would  bean  important  harbor  of  refu.ue. 

Such  si  hai'bor  or  iUiehora;;e  is  to  be  tbuud  iu  tiiat  body  of  water  ly- 
inj?  between  San  duau,  Loi)e/.,  and  Shaw's  islautls,  tiie  three  entrances 
to  which  are  susceptible  of  easy  defense  by  Ibrtilications  ])roperly 
located.  The  exact  position  of  these  work'.s  can  not  now  Ix;  indicated 
here  for  the  want  of  amps  showin<>'  the  topo.uraphi(;al  ch;iract»'r  of  the 
ii:roun(l ;  but  they  are  iiulicated  iu  a  jieneral  way  by  the  small  circles 
in  red,  marked  A,  JJ,  C,  J),  10,  F,  on  the  three  islands  named  above. 
Possibly  the  small  island  between  L()))ez  and  Shaw's  inijiht;  fiirnish  a 
site  for  a  work  of  size  adeipnUe  to  the  closini;-  of  tlie  channel ;  in  which 
case  it  would  be  occupied  in  ^ireference  to  the  ])oints  10  ami  F. 

While  (Jeneral  Canby  is  no  doubt  correct  iu  the  opim'on  that  the  ex- 
penditnie  involved  iu  the  construction  of  the  necessary  works  wouhl 
not  be  justilied  by  the  present  needs  of  thai  ]>art  of  our  coast,  ami  in- 
deed may  never  be,  yet,  as  no  one  can  certainly  tbresee  what  amy  be 
the  future  development  of  that  part  of  our  Pacitic  possessions,  it  seems 
to  ns  wise,  since  the  (iovernment  now  owns  the  laud,  wl:i<;h  has  little 
value  at  present,  to  reserve  from  sale  suitable^  sites  at  the  six  i»oiiits 
iianu'd,  as  also  tae  small  island  indicated  aI)ovi',  with  a  view  to  the  con- 
tin<;ency  of  its  beinj;'  determiued  at  some  future  day  to  make  the  an- 
chora;,'e  referred  to  a  war  harbor  of  refuge. 

We  tlitM'cfore  I'econunend  that  these  seven  reservations  be  made; 
that  an  oflicer  be  sent,  if  necessaiy,  to  select  the  sites,  and  that  the  res- 


ii 


26 


FORTIFICATIO' 8    UPON    I'UGHT    SOUND. 


ervatioiis  iiiclii<le  nil  huid  witliiii  nliout  1  iiiilc  ot  the  points  so  si'lci.'tod, 
ex<'«'])t  lit  tilt'  point  A,  wiiero  the  limits  indicated  by  Col.  Silas  Casey, 
and  shown  on  the  sketch  contained  in  tiie  letter  of  (.'apt.  Cr.  E.  Pickett, 
aceonipanyinii'  the  connnnnication  of  (leneial  ('anby,  wouiv!  probably 
be  jndicions  as  atVordin^'  ])roi)er  {jromids  for  j:arrison  bnildin,i;s. 

Tiie  i)apers  referred  to  the  Board  in  conneittion  with  this  snl)Ject  are 
herewitii  retnrned. 


Jiespectfnily  snbniitted. 


.).    (r.    IJATlNAnD, 

Col.  of  L'tijiiitcers  ami  ]>rt.  Ma).  (!cnl. 

(iKOHCK    \V.    CULLUM, 

Col.  of  EiKi'mccrs  oikI  Brf.  Ma},  (ienl. 
Z.  15.  Tc)Wi:i{, 

IJi'xi.  Col.  ol' KiKi'inccrs  and  Hit.  Maj.  Cwnl. 

\\.    (x.    WlJIGHT, 

Lieut.  Col.  of  Knii'inecfs  ami  lift.  Maj.  (rcnl. 


Brig.  Gen.  A.  A.  IlrMPiriiEVs, 

Cliif/ of  Liu/i'mrrs,  C.  S.  A. 


Office  ISoard  of  ENOiiNFKRs  fou  thf:  Pacific  Coast, 

>S'((/«  Fraiicisro,  ('(d.,  Ovtoher  11,  1870. 

(rENKU\L:  lly  reference  to  my  letter  of  September  P),  1<S7(>,  snbmit- 
tiuj;'  a  project  and  estinnite  of  surveys  luMMled  for  military  defenses  on 
the  Pacific  Coast  that  can  1)e  executed  jyrior  to  June  ;i(),  1871,  it  will  be 
seen  that  there  is  an  item  of  $2,000  for  "  lleconnaissances  and  surveys 
in  Admiralty  Inlet  and  Pufiet's  Sound." 

L  desire  now  to  state  more  particularly  one  of  the  objects  to  be  ac- 
complished by  these  reconnaissances  and  surveys,  viz: 

To  discover,  if  i)ossible,  which  of  the  harbors  in  Admiralty  Inlet  and 
Puyet's  Sound  should  be  selected  as  a  naval  depot  and  harbor  of  refuge 
for  our  naval  and  mercantile  marine. 

It  seems  to  me  to  be  absolutely  necessary  to  determine  this  question 
]>efore  the  Jioard  of  lOngineers  for  the  Pacilic  Coast  can  project  any 
works  of  defense  for  tliese  waters. 

The  views  of  this  lioard  on  tliis  subject  were  'presented  as  fully  as 
was  then  possible  in  its  rei)ort  to  tiie  Chief  of  Engineers  of  December 
0,  1807. 

By  consulting  tliis  rej^ort  it  will  be  seen  that  tlie  Board  was  the::  of 
the  oi)inion  tliat  either  Port  Orchard  or  Lake  Washington  possessed  the 
greatest  advantages  for  a  naval  depot  and  harbor  of  refuge.  The  Board 
is  still  of  the  same  o[)iiiion. 

To  a  proper  understanding  of  this  subject  1  in(;lose  you  herewith  a  coi)y 
of  a  letter  I  addressed  to  .lames  S.  Lawson,  the  assistant  of  the  Coast 
Survey  in  Washington  Territory,  <lated  August  30,  1807,  together  with 
his  reply  inclosing  a  sketch  ot  the  northern  entrance  to  the  Port  Orch- 
ard Channel.  It  will  be  seen  that  this  entrance  is  only  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  wide,  and  tliat  it  can  be  very  easily  and  cheai)ly  <lefended. 

The  southern  entrance  is  like  the  northern,  except,  from  all  I  can 
learn,  it  lias  a  greater  depth  of  water  in  the  channel. 

We  nmy  therefore  say  that  we  are  well  informed  about  the  capabili- 
ties of  this  I'ort  Orchard  channel  for  a  naval  depot,  and  that  they  are 
all  that  could  be  desired,  ex(!ei)t  that  the  ])Osition  would  be  better  if  it 
were  cm  the  other  side  of  Admiralty  Inlet,  because  our  greatest  resources 
and  jtrobably  the  '  ^rmini  of  tlie  railroads  leading  to  the  east  and  south 
will  be  on  that  si<le. 


Foirru'icATioNs  rroN  rroKT  sound. 


27 


Seiittlt'  Harbor,  opposite,  to  Port  Orchard  and  on  tlui  Ciistcrii  side  of 
Admiralty  hik't.  altlioiii,'Ii  more  lav()ral)ly  loeatcd,  is  not  <'apal)l('  of 
Itt'in};  made  so  entirely  seeiire  as  a  naval  depot  with  its  store-honses 
ou«;ht  to  be,  the  more  particnlarly  if  we  look  to  the  fntnre  establishment 
of  Ji  navy-yard  in  these  waters.  It  will  do  xcry  well  as  an  outer  harbor, 
and  Jnst  eastof  it  isa  larfje  fresh  water  lake,  called  Lake  NN'ashinyton, 
which  never  frei^zes  in  winter. 

This  lake  has  inexh.instible  suppliers  of  coal  mines  on  its  borders, 
which  are  now  beinj;'  work<'d,  ami  <;reat  <pnintities  of  excellent  tind)er, 
as  yet  almost  untou(!hed. 

If,  therefore,  it  were  connected  with  Seattle  Haibor  by  a  natural 
channel  of  snlfn-ient  depth  the  two  to;;<'ther  would  fainish  us  with  an 
a<lmirable  i)osition  for  a  naval  depot,  with  abnost  eveiy  i'c(|uirement 
whiiMi  could  be  desired. 

But  there  bein;;"  no  such  natural  navijiable  channel,  the  (|Uestion 
aiises:  Can  we  make  an  artili(!ial  one  within  icasonable  limits  ot' ex- 
pense ? 

It  is  this  (piestion  which  I  proi)ose  to  investigate,  with  the  a[»prt»val 
of  the  Chief  of  Enj>ineers. 

An  inland  establishnu'ut  at  Lak(^  Washinjiton  would  i)i'obably  not  re- 
quire any  <lefense,  and  it  is  possible  that  a  capacjious  sliip  iiaual,  with 
one,  or  oven  two  locks,  could  be  nnide  at  a  first  costless  than  that  which 
woidd  be  necessary  to  fortify  an  exposed  position.  If  the  canal  is  pra<!- 
ticable,  the  oidy  delense  necessary  woidd  be,  the  occupation  (»f  the  shores 
of  Seattle  Harbor  by  barbette  batteries,  in  order  to  secure  the  outer 
harbor. 

This  is  an  important  question  for  the  Crovernment  to  decide  at  an 
early  day,  for  miudi  of  the  land  that  may  be  wanted  for  a  naval  depot 
or  for  a  future  navy-yard,  and  ])ossibly  for  fortilications,  whether  at 
Port  Orchard  or  Lake  Washington  and  Seattle,  could  even  yet  be  re- 
served from  sale.  In  view  of  the  fact,  however,  that  the  railroads,  both 
east  and  south,  will  ])robably  be  definitely  l()(;ated  in  another  year,  su(;h 
may  not,  be  the  case  at  the  end  of  that  period. 

1  would  like  to  know  the  views  of  the  Chief  of  Eii<;iiieers  on  this  sub- 
ject;  and  if  he  a[)prove  of  the  reconnaissance  of  I/ake  \Vashin;iton,  Ut 
determine  its  hei,uht  above  the  waters  of  Admiralty  Inlet,  the  ]>ractica- 
bility  of  the  canal,  its  ]>robable  cost,  the  nature  of  the  shores,  dei»tii  ot' 
water,  etc.,  I  will  order  it  to  be  made  at  an  early  day. 

I  inclose  with  this  a  sketch  of  the  waters  of  Admiralty  Inlet  and  Pu- 
get's  Sound,  traced  from  a  map  in  this  oflice,  so  that  in  studyin,n"  the^ 
subject  the  whole  <iuestion  may  be  seen  at  a  glance. 

1  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  resi)e(,'tfuily,  your  obedient  servant, 

1>.  S.  Alexandkk, 
Lieut.  Col.  Kiijirs.  Ilrt.  Urif/.  (Jen.,  J'.  S.  .1., 

Vrest.  Board  oj'  J-Jiii/r.s.,  F^tcijir  Codsf. 

3Ly.  Geu.  A- A.  Humphreys, 

Cltiefof  IJufiineers,  I'.  S.  A.  . 


!  I 


il 


I  I 

i 


[First  inilotseiiu'iit.l 


Office  of  the  Chief  of  Enoineers, 

ir«.s/( /M/y/o/j,  Oc<o6er  28,  1870. 
liGspectfully  referred  to  the  Board  of  i^ngineers  for  fortilications,  for 
consideration  and  remark. 
By  command  of  Briy.  (ien.  Humphreys. 

Thos.  LI^'coLN•  Casey, 

Major  of  Enf/ineer.s. 


28 


FOKTiriCATIONS    ri'0\    ITCJKT    SOrXD. 


[Si  fonil  inildrsiiiioiit.l 

Office  lioARi)  of  Knginkkks  foii  rouTiFicATioNs, 

yeir   }'"/•/.,  yoi'iiitlnr  L',  1870. 

llt's|)('(!tfiilly  ivtiinit'd.    'I'lio  Uoanl  of  l'jii;;iiu'ors  lor  Fortilicatioiis  con- 
i'lirs  ill  Uie  view  of  JjitMiteiiiUit-Colone!  Alcxiindi'V,  iis  to  tlu'  iinportauce 
of  tli(^  rcconiiaissaiKM'of  Luke  Wasliiiii^toii  ainl  vicinity,  for  the  purposes 
iii(lit'.iit»'<l,  and  reconiiiieiids  its  execiilifjii. 
r>y  order  of  tlie  Hoard. 

(;k().  \V.  riLT.rM. 
Col.  ()/  Kiu/r.s.,  Jilt.  Mdj.  a  cut. 


Office  r.oAnn  of  I'.noinfhks, 

ISnn  Fr(()tcisc(>,  CUfl.,  AiKjnst  ."iO,  ISOT. 

Dfar  Sir:  1  lutve  to  thank  yon  for  yiuii-  note  of  the  7th  instant  with 
the  inclosed  sketelie.s  ami  list  of  distanei's. 

1  shall  feel  yreatly  obliged  to  you  if  yon  can  lind  out  and  let  nie  know 
the  dejjth  of  water  at  the  two  entrances  (in)rth  iind  south  ends  of  J>ain- 
hrid^c  Island)  of  the  I'ort  Orchard  (,'hannel. 

J  do  iM)t.  of  (u»urse,  expect  you  to  spend  much  tinu"  in  this  investij;a- 
tion.  It  will  not  be  necessary.  All  we  want  at  ])resent  is  to'know 
whether  or  not  there  is  sullicient  depth  of  water  at  the  two  entrances 
above  named  lor  the  entrance  ol"'tlie  heaviest  vessels  of  war.  The  exist- 
in<,f  charts  appear  to  leave  this  in  doubt;  but  when  we  i)assed  through 
in  the  Diduit  our  soundings  indicat<>(l  an  abundance  of  water. 

J5y  detacliing  a  boat  some  day,  with  a  lo(;al  i)ilot  to  indi(;ate  the  chan- 
nels, the  facts  can  be  readily  ascert  uneil  in  a  few  houis. 

Von  will  umlerstand  that  we  are  looking  to  the  possibility  of  making 
these  wateis  a  naval  and  mercantile  rei'dezvons  in  time  of  war. 

The  ]dace  could  be  easily  and  securely  defcmled,  and  it  has  some 
other  advantages,  though  it  would  be  better  if  it  was  on  the  other  side 
of  the  iidet. 

J  regret  when  1  was  at  Seattle  that  we  did  not  spend  a  ftnv  days  there 
and  exatniue  Lake  Washington,  and  ascertain  the  quality  and  quantity 
of  coal  that  is  found  in  the  neighborhood. 

If  this  lak(!  has  sullicient  dei>th  of  water,  and  if  it  can  be  (;onnected 
by  a  shin  canal  without  too  much  exi)ensewith  the  waters  of  Admiralty 
Inlet,  ami  if  there  is  an  abundance  of  good  coal  along  its  shores,  it  would 
appear  that  it  has  niore  advantages  than  any  other  place  for  a  naval,  at 
least  for  an  iron-ciad,  depot. 

Can  you  give  me  any  information  on  these  points  .' 


\'ery  respectfully,  etc. 


15.  S.  Alk:caxdfr 


dAS.  S.  LAW80X,  Es(|. 

A  true  eoj)y. 


/>'<•/.  Hr'Kj.  < 


iCll. 


U.  S.  A. 


B.   S.   ALKXANI3ER. 

Lieut.  Col.  Knurs.,  Bit.  Br!;/.  (!in..  U.  S.  A. 


U.  S.  Coast  Survev  IJRia  If.  K,  Fauntleroy, 

Port  Biscnrer}/,   Wash.,  April  14,  1809. 

]>]:au  Sir  :  Inclosed  1  send  you  a  tracing  on  the  scale  of  joouu  from 
the  topographical  and  liydr()gr,ii)liical  sheets  of  Port  Madison  of  the 


FOlJTlFirATIONS    ITON    l'('(JKT    SOUND. 


20 


north  t'litnuicc  tn  I'mt  Oicliaid.  lii  the  topD^rapli.v  the  red  lines  in- 
dicate altitndcs  dl'  L'O  t'ct-t  cacli,  as  inaikcd.  'I'licsc  arc  skctclicd  in,  as 
the  <lcnscly-\v(((idcd  natnrc  <»t'  tiic  country  prcvcnta  tiii^  nscof  a  jdain* 
tabic  in  tracing'  (uit  the  ciiivcs. 

In  the  hydro;;ia|tliy  the   hlacU  dotted  line  represents  the  low-water 
mark;  the  ■;rccn  line  is  carve  of  (J  feet  depth,  the  red  of  I'J  lect,  and 
theltliieof  infect,     I'.cyond  that  the  soninlin;;s  arc  expressed  in  fathanis, 
ami  are  all  rediuu'd  to  the  nn'an  of  the  linre-st  Imr  watcrM. 
Youis,  \cry  rcspcctfnlly, 

.Ias.  S.  I.awsox, 
A-s-st.  (',  *V.  Cixtsf  Sun-ri/. 
Address  Olynipia.  Wash. 

(Jeiieral  15.  8.  Ai-EXANDek,  T.  S.  A., 

I'rfsiilnif  lUxird  of  KntjiiK ifs^  San  Fr<nic!sr(>,  (.'al. 

A  true  copy. 

I'..  S.  Aij:xam)i;i;, 
Llnif.  Col.  EiKjrs.,  livf.  Uri;/.  (it n.,  I'.  S.  A. 


Office  Board  of  I^ncuxkkus, 
San  Franci.sco,  (,'al.,  J)ccnnh<r  \),  1SG7. 
(1i:nei;ae:  I  have  the  honor  to  inclose  lieivwith  to  tlu^  Department 
the  i)roIiniinai'y  report  of  tln^  JJoard  of  10n;;ineers  lor  the  I'acilic  Coast 
in  reference  to  the  defense  of  the  waters  of  \Vashin<;ton  'territory,  ac- 
('onipanie<l  by  the  Coast  Survey  trianjunlation  at  Admiralty  Head,  Foul 
Weather  Point,  and  Point  Dctiance,  f;'ivin,i;'  certain  distances  across  the 
channels  at  these  ]ilaces. 

Very  resi)ectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J!.  S.  Alexanuek, 
lU't.  Brig,  (icn.,  U.  S.  A., 
Vrest.  Hoard  of  IJntfrx.,  I'acific  Coast. 
Maj.  (len.  A.  A.   IIi:MriiUEV.s. 

CItirj'  of  JJiKjInx r.s,  r.  S.  A. 


Office  Poaud  of  ENiii^jEEKS, 

San  Francisco  Cal.^  December  \)^  1807. 

General:  The  Poard  of  Kn<;incers  for  the  I'acilic  Coast,  constituted 
l)y  virtue  of  iMi^incer  Order  Xo.  <!4,  dated  "  ICn^ineer  Department, 
Washington,  Decend)er  4,  l.SIK!,''  having'  examined  the  Straits  of  Fiica 
and  the  waters  of  xVdiniralty  Inlet  and  Paget  Sound,  with  the  view  of 
determining  the  syst<'m  of  (lefeiise  whi(;h  ought  to  be  adopted  for  these 
waters,  has  the  honor  to  submit  this  following  preliminary  report: 

Our  instructions  on  this  subject  are  iu  the  following  wordt^: 

III.  The  lioiM'il  slmiild  tlicii  I'xaiiiiiM'  tin;  vviitt-rs  of  tlio  Stniit.s  ol'  Fiua  iiiul  Adiui- 
i;iUy  Iiilft,  si'lt.'etiii;i'  tlu'  «il»;.s  of  siu-li  ))(iiiiiamMit  iiiid  temi)oriir,v  works  as  they  may 
lUciii  iiiHM'Ssary,  (■aiisiii";' tliciii  to  l»t^  surveyed,  and  i>n'i)ariii;^  j)Iaii.s  and  ostiiiiares  of 
the  works  with  which  tlu-y  may  iiroposts  to  occiii)y  tlicm. 

Ill  tliis  jiai't  of  its  duty  tiie  Moard  slionld  not  h)sc  Mi<i;Iit  of  tlio  imiioi'tancf  of  forfi- 
fvinj;'  one  or  more  liarhors  of  refni^i!  for  our  naval  iind  eomuiereial  vessels  iu  time  of 
war,  partieuhirly  in  thi'  .Straits  of  Fuea. 

*  *  *  *  *  m  * 

Pi  obedience  to  these  instructions  the  Poard  made  an  examination  of 
these  waters  during  the  past  summer. 


H 


30 


FOirriFICATIONS   ri'ON    I'l  (.KT    sor\i>. 


t()i«' 


will  iiitt  H'liuiri' 
;iin\v  ilic  t'liturc 


^1)  As.suiiiiii;^'  tliiit  it  is  llu'lii.st  duty  of  tin*  II();inl,  in  accordiiiicc 
witli  its  iiistnictioiis,  t«>  iisc.citiiiii  :iii(1  point:  out  wliicli  of  tin'  iiiithois  in 
tiicsc  WiitfTs  oni-iit  to  i»t'  d('f('nil<'il  l»_v  fort  ilic;it  ions,  it  ni;iy  he  olistTvcii 
tliiit,  wiiiiont  know  in;;  the  coiiisf  of  fiitnrt' scttlt'iiM'nt  in  tlu-sc  comiiar- 
jitivcly  nnoi'ciipicd  r<';,Mons,  it  is  difli(;idt,  if  n(tt  inipossihlc,  to  t'orcsc*' 
the  i)liici's  wiiicli  will  hrconn'  of  tlicniost  impoi'tancc  ninl  tluM'c'' 
most  l'n|iiii('  defense. 

To  .M>i\e  tlie  prohleiii  helore  ii  in  ;i  manner  whicli 
nMMlificitiun  hei»';ilter,  il  wonld  he  necessary  also  to 
policy  of  (»nr  (iovernment  in  lefe renin'  to  the  acipiisition  of  territory  on 
tins  coast.  It.  for  instance,  the  coast  of  tin'  I'nited  States  were,  con- 
*j)nons  from  \\'asliin<;ton  Territory  to  the  rcct'iit  purchase  from  Ifussia. 
the  |tl^ilcm  would  he  materially  ehan^cd. 

In  thaf  case,  new  clenn'Uts  woidd  i)e  introduced,  ami  lu'w  positions 
heconu'  the  ki'y  points  of  defense. 

in  tact,  Willi  the  i'xclusion  of(ireat  llritain  from  tiiis  coast,  from  which 
power  in  case  of  war  wt^  wonld  have  most  to  fear,  it  wonld  prohalily  l)e- 
come  a  (|uestion  whethei',  with  the  entire  <'i)ast  in  our  possession,  any 
tortilications  woidd  l)e  m'(;essary  in  these  waters,  at  least  until  the 
<'ourse  of  settlement  should  point  out  the  future  sites  of  its  commerce 
and  weall  li. 

Consideiin^'  the;  i;'reat  distance  of  these  shores  from  iCurope  and  our 
rapidly  ;;i(»wiii;;'  commercial  marine  on  the  I*a(^ilic,  it  wouhl  hecome  a 
(jiiestion.  in  the  ease  supposed,  whether  we  would  not  he  al)le  to  defend 
them  hy  naval  means  alone  without  the  aid  of  lortilications  ;  at  least 
until  population  and  wealth  should  he  so  increased  and  coni'entrated  as 
to  invite  attack. 

The  Hoard  is  aware  that  these  are  questions  of  statt^  not  properly 
hefore  it  for  discussion  ;  nevertheless,  as  they  involve  important  con- 
siderations hearing'  on  the  defense  of  our  Northwest  coast,  which  can 
not  jji'operly  he  overlooked  eitln^r  by  the  Engineer  J)epartnient  or  by 
('on,niess  when  the  suhject  of  the  t'ortilicati(Mi  of  these  waters  is  hrouj;ht 
under  discussion,  it  is  thou<;ht  that  they  merit  this  ])assing"  notice. 

(L')  Atter  com])letin<;  the  exannnatiou  of  tiie  Columbia  IJiver  thi; 
Hoard  went  overland  from  Monticello,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Cowlitz,  to 
()lyini)ia,  \\'asli. 

The  distan(!e  betwei'u  these  two  jdaces  is  about  90  miles.  The  road 
is  called  a  military  road. 

It  i»asses  throuyh  a  heavily  timbered  re^^ion  with  an  undergrowth  so 
thick  in  many  places  that  it  is  impossible  to  penetrate  it  without  the 
use  of  the  axe  Beiny  built  hefore  the  countJ'v  was  settled  or  even 
thoroughly  ex])lored,  it  is  not  surprising,  in  view  (^♦'the  ditlieulties  that 
had  to  he  encountered,  that  the  road  was  not  al"  ays  located  in  the  most 
advantageous  jiositions,  and  being  built  wif'-;  'cry  inadequate  api)ro- 
priations  it  was  not  i)ossible  for  the  engineers  charged  with  its  con- 
struction to  make  it  more  than  a  trail.     A  trail  it  still  lemains. 

Overshadowed  by  tall  evergreen  trees,  the  sun  can  not  reach  it;  shut 
in  by  a  dense  undergrowth,  the  wind  can  not  dry  it;  while  the  almost 
daily  rains  during  a  great  i)art  of  the  year  keep  it  constantly  muddy. 
The  country  is  sparsely  inhabited  and  the  road  can  not  therefore  be 
kept  in  repair.  The  consefpience  is  that  during  the  winter  and  spring 
the  road  or  trail  is  impassable  for  wheeled  vehicles,  and  it  is  only  with 
great  ililUculty  and  with  light  loads  that  wagons  can  traverse  it  dur- 
ing the  summer  aiul  fall. 

While  making  this  journey  the  Board  could  not  help  remarking  that  a 
good  wagon  road  from  the  nuuith  of  the  Cowlitz  to  Olympia  or  Seattle 


FORTIFICATIONS    UPON    I'UGKT    SOUND. 


31 


lOiul 


shut 
ilinost 
mUiy. 
)rB  be 
priiig 
with 
dur- 


woiild  (1(»  innrc  for  \\\o  ih^lViisc  of  thoso  iioitliciii  wjitcis,  liist,  l>y  in- 
ducing' iniMii;;ratioii  :ind  set tltMncnt,  iind  Mhmi,  in  the  cvcnr  ot'wiii, 
niiddiiy;  it  ]»nssihU'  lor  ti'oops  IVom  tho  (.'ohiinUi.i  ;ind  the  vidicy  of  the 
Willinncttc  to  rtsich  tht*  scene  o|"  conilict,  thiiii  ;iiiy  other  consd  iictjnu. 

As  tlie  I'oiid  is  iit  jn'i'sent  it  niiiy  he  i'e;;iinlc(l  ;is  inipiiu't  icnhh'  lor  nu 
army.  ^I  hsist  dnrin;^-  a  ^real  poi'ihtu  of  the  \car. 

It  is  ti'ue  inlantry  and  cavahy  uii:;lit  make  tin'  march  oxer  tliis  jiort- 
a;;'e  at  ahnost  an\  season,  hut  a  war  on  llie  waters  of  I'n;:'et  Soiiml  ami 
Admiralty  Inlet  would  of  necessity  he  a  war  of  positions,  whether  on 
land  or  on  the  water,  anil  one  tliercl'or*'  to  l)e  d(M'i(|e«l  l>y  artillerv.  in- 
fantry withoul  artillery  would  he  of  little  use.  In  the  piescnt  coiidi- 
lion  (»f  tlie  road  neither  artillery  nor  the  supplies  ol'  any  cons'dei'alde 
hody  of  t  riMips  could  he  taUen  over  it. 

it  should  he  ohserved  that  the  country  oorderint;'  the  waters,  wjuoe 
defense  we  are  now  cousideriuji'  does  not  produce  sullicieiit  piov  isions 
even  for  the  sjjarse  |)opidation  now  there,  the  most  of  whom  are  en- 
yai^cd  in  s(»m<'  w  ay  or  (»ther  with  the  himher  trade.  If  we  suppose, 
thcrt-lore,  in  the  event  of  war,  that  any  coutin.uency  shoidd  arise  ren- 
dering' it  necessary  to  send  troops,  provisions,  or  military  sujiplics  liom 
the  valley  of  the  Columhia  lliver  to  the  waters  (tf  \Vashiii.uton 'i'ct  i  i- 
toiy,  a  iu-acti(rnl  military  road  would  he  indispeirs;d)le. 

We  liave  said  that  siudi  wt'i'e  tlie  rellectioir--  of  the  I5oard  while  trav- 
elin;n'  (tver  the  road  to  (>lymi)ia.  We  nniy  now  add  that  thi'  suhseipu'iit 
examination  of  the  waters  to  he  defended,  a  return  across  tlie  countiy 
to  the  Columhia  ifivei',  and  mature  rclleetion  on  the  suhject  have  only 
served  tocoidiriu  the  IJoard  ii:  its  opinion  that  a  ;^()od  niilitai'y  road  from 
lids  rivci-  to  these  watei's  is  an  important  jtrere(|uisite  to  their  defense. 

I  f  the  suhject  should  ever  come  hefore  <  'oii^rcss,  no  (piestion  of  inter- 
nal improvement,  liowever  much  it  miji'ht  hciu'tit  the  countr\'  throii,i:h 
which  it  would  pass,  and  to  whicdi  it  would  lead  hy  ren(h'riii.u' immigra- 
tion and  settlement  possihie,  need  he  mixed  up  with  it.  It  should  he 
looked  upon  as  purely  a  military  road,  made  for  niilitai'y  purposes. 

A  jiood  road,  practicahle  at  all  seasons,  could  Ix'  built  from  ^Slonti- 
cello  to  Olympia  for  about  ■■SL'OO.OOO.  and  it  is  not  believed  by  the  Uoard 
that  a  like  sum  could  be  expended  in  any  other  way  w  liieli  would  add 
so  niiudi  to  the  defense  of  this  Territory.  Such  an  ex]»(Miditiire  now 
would  be  saved  many  limes  when  wo  shall  be  called  upon  to  defend 
these  waters  or  even  to  fortify  them  so  as  to  be  in  readiness  for  a  state 
of  war. 

In  explanation  of  these  opinions  it  may  be  observed  when  we  shall 
undertake  to  detend  the  iiiteri(U'  waters  of  Washington  Territory  we 
will  not  be  at  liberty  to  for<;'et  (w  lu^ther  the  defense  b(^  by  fortilications 
alone  or  by  fortitications  aided  Ity  the  Xavy)  that  witliout  a  practicable 
road  leading'  to  the  Columbia  IJiver,  <)'•  to  some  other  place  whence  sup- 
l)lies  of  men  and  ju'ovisions  could  he  obtained,  we  will  be  undertaking' 
a  dilUcult  task — the  defense  (»f  a  country  cut  olf  by  the  lack  of  commii- 
ni(;ations  from  all  external  aid  and  having'  but  a  .sj>arse  ]iopulatiou  and 
limited  resources  within  itself.  In  sin.'h  a  ease  a  iortiticati(ni  to  he  of 
any  use  ajiainst  a  powerful  enemy  would  iiave  to  be  stdf-reliant.  that 
is,  contain  within  itself  the  artillery,  the  ammunition,  the  men,  and  the 
l>rovisions  required  for  its  complete  defense,  if  atta(!ked,  or  that  would 
he  iie(;essary  to  enable  it  to  sustain  a  i)rolonj;'ed  l>lo(dcade.  It  wouhl 
therefore  have  to  be  lar^ic,  have  a  heavy  armament,  a  lari:e  iiarrison, 
and  immeiis(^  stores  of  amaiiinition  and  provisions.  It  would,  eonse- 
tpieiitly  be  exi)ensive,  l^oth  in  construction  and  inaintenance. 


l>0 


FORTIFICA'ilOX.S    UI'OX    JTCiET    SOrXD. 


Wliei'cas,  with  a  j;oo(l  and  secun'  coimnuMicatioii  leadinj;"  to  n-souicos 
such  as  couUl  Itcroadily  funiishcd  liy  tlici  State  (»f  Oregon,  a  Idititica- 
tioii  which  (•(Mil<ninhl  out  a.naiiist  an  ciu'iuy  loroiiiy  a  lew  <hiys  nii;;ht  be 
looked  iiiioii  as  secure.  If  we  suppose,  on  the  occnnence  of  war,  tliat 
such  a  lortitication  only  contains  within  itself  the  nec(\ssary  armament 
to  o)»pose  sncccssl'nlly  the  passa;>e  of  ane  iiemv's  tleet  through  rhe  chan- 
nel it  is  intendetl  to  defend,  eveiythiiij^' else,  men,  i)rovisi()ns,  arms,  am- 
munition, and  perlia[)s  even  additio.ial  armaments  for  new  woilcs,  ren- 
ilered  necessary  by  the  course  of  the  war,  could  be  more  ra[)idly  sni)plied 
troiii  tiie  Columbia  iiiver  than  from  any  other  )»lace. 

Such  a  fort  need  :iOt,  therefore,  bo  so  (-xix-nsiNc  in  its  construction, 
re(]uireso  lai<;('<'^  j^airison,  or  involve  .so  much  expense  in  time  of  peace 
as  the  one  lirst  nienti(ined.  What  is  true  of  one  fort  or  one  j;i'ou]»  of 
forts  will  beeciually  triu'  of  all  others.  Isor  should  it  be  for<;otten  that 
what  is  true  now  in  reference  to  the  delense  of  this  Territoi-y  will  be 
true,  alsu,  after  it  shall  have  become  a  State  with  coiisiderablc  re- 
sources. A  secure  comninnication  with  the  {.'olumbia  Ixiver — a  wagon 
road  n.ow,  with  a  railroad  in  after  years — will  always  add  greatly  to  its 
security,  simpliiy  the  defense,  and  lender  it  much  less  expensive. 

(.S)  Having  arrived  at  Olympia  on  the  -Sth  day  of  July,  LS(!7,  the  lioard 
embarked  on  a  small  steamer  w  liicli  had  been  chartered  by  the  (Juar- 
ternmster's  Department,  and  ])roceeded  to  mak'e  an  examination  of  the 
waters  mentioned  in  (Uir  instructions. 

We  visite<l  and  examined  oteilacoom,  J'oint  Deliance,  and  the  adja- 
cent sliore  to  the  westward,  the  harbois  of  Seattle,  Tort  Orchai'd.  and 
I'ort  ^Iadison,aml  the  channel  to  the  westward  of  Jlainbridge  Island, 
Foulweather  I'oint,  and  the  harbors  of  I'ort  laidlow  and  Port  (iamble; 
I'ort  Towiisend^  f'oint  Wilson,  ami  Admiralty  Head ;  Tort  Discovery, 
Dungeness  Jlarbor,  >>'eeah  I>ay,  San  fluan  Island,  and  l)ecei)tion  I'ass, 

Although  named  in  tlie  order  of  secinence  from  Olympia,  it  ajipears 
more  natural,  in  considering  them  separately,  t  lat  they  should  be  taken 
r.p  in  the  reverse  order,  beginning  at  Xe('-a'.  I'ay,  and  mentioning  the 
l)oints  or  harbors  of  which  we  s[)eak  as  we  wcdd  [)ass  them  in  approach- 
ing ()lymi)ia  fiom  the  orean. 

(4)  The  JJoard  approaches  the  subject  before  them  with  some  (b'fli- 
dence,  inasmuch  as  it  has  been  ably  handled  by  tin'. joint  Boaid  of  Army 
ami  Navy  oilicersin  \H')0,  and  thort)ughly  discussed  by  the  late  able  (Miief 
Engineer,  (leneral  U'otten,  in  the  yeai'  l.S(i(». 

Tii;'  Hoard  has  given  the  most  careful  study  to  l)oth  of  these  papers 
and  is  disjxiscd  to  give  to  them  all  (Uu-  weight,  ami  ])ariicularly  to  re- 
gard the  reporc  of  <>eneral  T(»tten,  with  the  lights  before  him  when  it 
was  written,  as  being  as  nearly  i)erfect  ami  exluiustive  as  it  was  ]»ossi- 
ble  to  nnike  it.  Xevertheless,  the  IJoard  is  disposed  t»>  think  that  the 
ciioumstances  of  the  case  have  been  somewhat  modilied  sJice  these  im- 
ports were  written,  and  therefore,  if  it  should  be  led  to  coindusions  dif- 
fering, in  sonn^  jtarticulars.  from  those  who  lia\e  preceded,  it  is  liojjed 
I  hat  tae  changed  conditions  of  the  <pU'stion  may  be  found  to  justily  the 
modilied  conclusions  at  which  it  nniy  arrixc. 

Since  the  report  of  (General  Totten  was  nnule  we  have  Innl  tlie  war 
ot'  the  rebellion  in  tiu'  United  States,  with  all  its  teachings;  we  have 
risen  from  low  down  in  the  scale  to  be  one  of  tlie  lirst  naval  powei's  ot' 
the  earth.  The  advance  of  scicm'e  has  introduced  a  more  ]>owertnl  ar- 
tlHery  tl.an  had  hei'.'totore  been  useJ,  while  lli'  reiM'Ut  actpiisit  ioii  of 
Russian  America  nniy  give  to  tlies ',  waters  an  inipoitiince  which  they 
did  not  possi'ss  lietore. 


I 


■.V(»ul 

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L  c 

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Thi 

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We 

than 

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-^^Tiv^V^  ^l  •'• 


FORTIFICATIONS    LTON    ITGET    SO  TNI). 


33 


PilSS. 

takoii 
:4  the 
oacli- 

ilirti- 
xVi'iiiy 
Cliief 

api'i's 
to  rc- 
icn  it 
jiossi- 
ir  the 

'SO  11'- 

is  (lif- 
li(»])i'(l 
ily  the 

It'  war 
liavc 
•crs  of 
•till  ai'- 
tioii  of 
li  tllfV 


The  war  of  tho  rt'liellioii  has  tau<:iit  us  our  stroiiyth,  and  how  to  im- 
provise the  means  of  (k'feiis*'. 

Our  inereascd  naval  streiijitii  may  U'ail  us  to  depcutl  more  upon  tills 
arm  for  sneli  deiense  as  isrecpiircd  in  tiieso  waters  rlian  we  wouhl  have 
done  only  a  lew  years  a<;o. 

The  in(!reased  i>ower  and  i-an^e  of  artillery  may  enable  ns  to  under- 
take the  defense  of  channels  whieh  would  heretofore  have  been  deemed 
indefensible. 

The  recent  aecpusition  of  liussian  AnuM'iea,  whih^  jr  no  lon.uer  ])erniits 
Washington  Territory  to  be  looked  upon  as  the  extreme  frontier  of  our 
>'ortiiwest  coast,  su^jiests  the  possibility,  if  not  the  jtrobability.  that 
our  territory  on  this  coast  will,  at  lu)  distant  day,  be  continuous. 

(."»)  The  extension  of  our  territory  towards  the  northwest,  leadin<,%  as 
it  doubtless  will,  to  a  corresi)ondiny;  extension  of  trade  and  commerce,, 
aihls  j^reutly  to  the  value  of  Xg 'ah  15a3'a-i  a  harbor  of  r^'fuije.  Situ- 
ated as  this  harbor  is,  Just  inside  of  Capv';  Flattery,  ir  is  the  last  jxu't 
within  our  territory  whu-h  vessels  en<;aged  in  the  northwest  trade  can 
leave  when  outward  bound,  and  the  lirst  to  be  made  on  their  return. 

This  harbor  is  imporrant  now  as  affording-  c(unparativ'dy  secure  an- 
('horaji'e  in  heavy  weather.  As  our  commerce  im-reases  its  importance 
will  increase  corres]H)ndiii,!;ly.  It  is  not  so  i^ood  a  harbor  as  coidd  be 
det;ired  ;  nevertheless,  from  the  i)osilion  and  the  fact  that  it  aflbrds 
the  only  ]»laee  of  shelter  for  vessels  between  (hey's  Harbor  and  I'orr 
Angeles,  it  is  imi)ortant  that  it  should  be  made  a  place  of  safety  for  our 
rummercial  mariiu'  in  time;  of  i)eace  ami  a  jilace  of  security  for  our 
naval  and  commercial  vessels  in  time  ot'  war. 

To  aecomplisii  these  objectts  tlic  harl)or  should  be  1i<:hted.  Tlie  an- 
ehora^^'c  to  the  south  of  W'a  addah  Island  slionld  be  rendered  secure  by 
a  breakwater,  and  the  harbor  should  be  defended.  'J  he  breakwater 
should  extend  from  the  soutliwestern  point  of  the  island,  nearly  in  a 
southwesterly  direction,  to  thi'  most  westerly  point  of  the  shoal.  It 
would  be  built  on  solid  rock,  which  slopes  away  very  .ueidly  from  hi<ih- 
watermark  near  theslnuc  to  low  water,  sonu'  ouarter  of  a  mile  disiant. 

Il  could  be  easily  made.  I'rob.ib'y  the  best  (!onst ruction  woul<l  be  of 
masonry,  at  least  as  far  out  as  low-water  nnirk. 

This  IJoard  is  of  the  opinion  that  this  anchora;;'e  may  be  securely  and 
eheaiily  defendt^d  by  barbette  batteries:  d)  A  foit  on  \\'aaddali  Island: 
L.')  a  fort  on  Koit'ah  Toint ;  (.">)  a  fort  on  some  point' of  the  shore  to 
the  southeast  of  Waaddah  Island. 

We  swy  J'orts  because  the  works  will  re(iuire  to  1k'  s<tmetliin,^'  more 
than  merely  barbette  batteries, 

IJeinjjf  lo(;ated  in  an  uninhabited  rej^itin,  distant  from  our  resources 
and  destitute  of  commiiniciations  by  lainl,  the  works  to  defend  this  har- 
bor shoidd  be  stronj;'  ami  secure  aiiainst  a  co^/;  de  nitihi.  They  woidd 
therefore  re(]uire  to  be  inclosed:  the  batteries  should  have  a  scarp,  and 
the  ditches  slH)uld  be  Hanked.  The  ,^uu  platfo'':ns  and  magazines  should 
be  ]i<'i'manent.  'I'lie  boMdt-|;roofs  slioidd  '  .•  .imple  ibr  the  protection  ol' 
file  garrisons,  and  to  cover  all  necessaiy  stores.  Waaddah  l>land  will 
ittbida  ji'ood  position  for  such  a  ,\ oik,  beinji' covere(l  with  earth  and 
aot  too  lii^li  for  ricochet  lire,  and  yet  lii,!L;lier  than  the  deck  of  a  maii- 
iif-w;;,  TIlis  island  should  be  re<;arded  as  the  key  of  the  ])ositi(ni : 
still,  witlumi  batteries  on  the  main  shore,  a  work  here,  however  power- 
I'ul,  (!ouId  not  render  the  anchorajie  entirely  secure. 

ISefort^  the  I>oard  can  make  detai'  mI  plans  and  estimates  ibr  the  de- 
fense and  im[M'ovement  of  this  harbor,  a  minute  topo,i:;'raphical  survey 
.^^  i:x.  KT) ;j 


34 


FOUTIFICATIONS    ITON'    I'lGK'I    .^01  ND. 


will  be  iicccssai'V.  ;ni<l  tlic  IJoard  l]ifi('!oi»' rt'coin  iiciids  tluit  tlie  sum  of 
■<.'), 000  be  sisUi'il  in-  tliat  purpose,  and  in  the  incii'ilinie  that  \\'a-a(l<bih 
Ishind,  the  lai'il  at  Koitlah  I'oint,  and  tlie  shore  .roui  IJaiublah  I'oint 
to  J\ashukn(MiI  I'oint  be  icserved  tbi-  inilitaiy  piuiioses. 

((>)  'J'liere  are  Ibur  hai  burs  Itetween  Xeeah  Hay.  nd  the  entrant'e  t</ 
Admiralty  Iidet.  \i/,,  Tort  An,neles,  ]Se\v  l)un^en<ss  Ilarlxu,  Wasli- 
iiijiton  Harbor,  and  I'ort  Discovei'y.  1'liese  harbors  are  in  close  ])rox- 
iiuity  lo  each  other  and  are  all  within  oO  miles  of  i'oint  'v\"ilson,  the 
western  headland  ol"  the  entrance  to  Adnuralty  Inlet.  OT  these  i'our 
harbors  tlii^  l)oard  is  ol'  the  opinion  thi'.t  Port  I>isci)veiv  is,  beyond  all 
(juesjion,  the  Mi(»st  iniportaiil. 

I'ort  Angeles  is  too  lai'  IVoni  .\diiiiralty  lidct  to  sei  ve  rs  ;■,  liaibor  ol' 
retujic,  as  is  <'learly  shown  l»y  (ieneial  'J'otteii  in  his  repoif.  >'ew 
l)an,i;-en<'ss  Harbor  can  not  be  securely  del'cuded  by  Ibrti.'ications,  ami 
AVashin.:;ton  llarl)f»r  is  too  small,  and  besides  lias  uot  sul'icient  depth 
ot"  water  at  its  entrance. 

The  whole  sid)jeet  of  the  relatix'e  importance  of  these  lour  harbors 
was  thoroughly  discussed  by  (Jeueral  Totten,  aud  with  his  views  iu  re- 
lation thereto  this  Uoard  concurs. 

As  we  can  not  hoi)e  now,  if  vvcr,  lo  ibrtify  uioie  than  one  of  these 
harbors,  the  JJoaid  is  in  fav(.i'  of  narro\\in^'  this  aud  all  future  discus- 
sion on  the  subject  of  a  (brtilicd  auclioia;:e  outsule  oJ',  yet  neai'  to,  Ad- 
nuralty Inlet  to  i'ort  Discoveiy  alone.  It  therefoic  recommends  that 
the,  orders  for  I'esei'vations  oi'  land  which  have  been  made  lor  militai'y 
purposes  at  New  1  )unji«Mi<'SS  be  withdrawn. 

(7)  I'ort  Discovery  is  an  admiralde  harbor.  Its  nu-rits  are  well  de- 
scaibcil  by  (ieneral  Totten.  It  is  a  better  harbor  of  relume  than  Port 
Townsend,  iuasuuich  as  its  windiu.^s  affoid  complete  protection,  at  some 
}>l,i(;e  or  otlu'r.  aiiainst  all  wimls.  I'ldtectiou  Island.  Cape  (leoi';;«Mtn 
the  eastern  shore,  and  Challam  Point  on  the  westi'rn  shore  aietlie  true 
])ositious  for  defending'  the  entrance,  while  the  salient  points  on  tin* 
shor(>s '.liter  we  enter  the  liai'b(>r  alford  admirable  i»ositions  for  batte- 
I'ies  to  coiiti'ol  the  inner  anciiora;ies. 

One  j^reat  advautaiie  of  this  harbor  as  a  jwace  of  rendezvous  and  se- 
curity, is  its  ^reat  cai)acity  aud  the  fact  that  all  its  watei's  may  be  se- 
curely coiit  rolled  by  slioic  batteries.  There  is  no  jjositioii  iiisi(l(>ofit 
wheK'  au  enemy  could  liud  seianity,  no  place  where  he  could  anchor  oi' 
take  a  position  lo  at  tack  an  tstabli.slnMent  bleated  towards  its  li»>ad,  where 
he  would  be  safe  t'rom  land  batleries  were  the  harbor  i)roperly  defended; 
while  I'rotectiou  Island,  standiuj.';  like  a  watchlul  foe,  well  out  in  front 
of  the  mouth  of  the  harbor,  would  keep  au  eiu'm\"s  fleet  beyond  shell- 
in;i' ''-lance  of  the  lleet  within. 

The  lioanl  recommends  that  this  harbor  be  fortilied.  and  to  enable 
the  necessary  plans  andestimates  to  be  made,  lespeitt fully  recjuests  that 
the  sum  of  -■^5,000  l»e  asked  or  set  aside  lor  the  necessary  tt»i)oyraphicai 
surveys. 

The  res<'ivati()ns  of  land  for  the  ]trotection  of  this  harbor  api)ear  to 
be  well  (;h(>sen. 

(S)  We  come  now  to  the  main  question  before  us,  the  j)roi)er  method 
of  dcfendinji  the  wateis  of  Admiralty  Inlet  and  I'u^et  ISound. 

A  careful  study  (»f  the  very  able  report  of  the  late  (.'hief  lCn.yineer  |^| 
((ieneral  Totten)  on  this  subject  will  show  that  throiijihout  he  assumes 
(Uir  naval  inferiority.  In  a  war  with  (Ireat  Ilriiain  (the  enemy  most  to 
be  I'eaicd  in  this  re.uion),  he  supposes  that  she  would  be  mistress  of  the 
waters;  that  our  commerce  on  these  interior  straits  would  be  exposed 
to  the  greatest  hazards:  that  we  could  not  hope  to  vlianye  this  mas- 


pai 
soo 
ma 
( 

at 
].le 
.Sai 
am 
the 
won 
Si 
war 
it,  t 
on  t 
witli 
fast 
the 

(1 
erat 
tpiir 
rend 
and 


FORTIFICATIONS    UPON    I'UOKT    SOUND. 


35 


i 


I 


tery,  and  tliat  all  we  ronJd  do  would  be  to  seek  soiiu"  alleviation  I'roni 
it  "by  providing-  liarboi-s  of  ivtii^^e  both  witiiiii  and  witlioiil  t lie  prob- 
able raiijie  of  hostile  cridsers.'' 

After  statin,^'  that  "if  ii.  were  possible  to  elose  the  mouth  of  .Vd- 
luiralty  lidet  by  fnrtiHi;ations,  the  j;reat  extent  of  waters  that  would 
thereby  l»e  ;;iiarded  would  .justily  a  lar.U'e  and  ])ronipt  expenditure,"  the- 
iiener.i!  eoneludes  that  such  a  defense  is  inadniissilde  il  not  inipraetiva- 
ble,  on  account  of  tiu'  ,i;rear  depth  of  water  in  tln^  channel  bel  ween  Ad- 
miralty lleail  and  I'oint  Wilson,  renderinj;' the  tionstruction  of  a  middle 
tort  out  <d'  I  he  (juestion. 

Abandonin<;'  this  jxtsit ion,  t  heielbre,  on  account  ol  its  impracticability, 
the  (leneral  next  sou,i;ht  an  interior  line — one,  as  he  sniijiosed,  '-more 
within  reach  ol"  ]>racticable  iuelhods."  This  line  extends  from  'J'ala. 
Point  across  to  Foulweather  Point,  thenci;  to  Double  l>lufl'.  with  a  fort 
at  each  ])osdion,  and  one  in  the  channel  between  Foulweather  Point 
and  Double  151idf.  iiiakin;^'  lour  forts.  This  barrier  at  the  mouth  of 
Hood's  Canal,  with  a  small  work  at  De(-eptinn  Pass,  was  thedel'ense 
which  the  (leneral  pi-oposed  for  these  waters. 

('.I)  iJefore  enteriu};'  fur''.ier  upon  tlie  mei'its  oi'this  i)lan  of  defense,  the 
]>oard  will  observe  th  ii  if  our  late  abU^  Chief  Fnjiineer  were  n(»w  living, 
it  may  fairly  be  presumetl  that  the  chan.ues  which  have  ta  ven  place  since 
his  report  was  written,  and  which  we  have  already  mentioned,  would 
])robably  induce  him  to  alter  his  premises,  in  so  far,  at  least,  as  they  con- 
'•ede  >'K'n;!\al  inleriority  in  these;  waters,  and  that  this  alteration  would 
]\i  -,'i';  ';  '."ad  to  a  itorrespondini;'  alteration  in  the  plan  of  defense  winch 
il     jiC.  i-rojiosed. 

In  order  that  there  may  be  no  misunderstanding  as  to  the  views  of  the 
Hoard  on  this  subjcM't,  tiiey  will  say  that,  in  case  of  ;i  war  with  (ireat 
IJritain,  even  at  this  time,  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  I'oaril  that  the  real 
contest  woidd  jtrobably  be  for  the  i»ossession  of  X'ancouxcrVs  Island 
rather  than  to  ascertain  what  Hag  should  wave  on  the  waters  of  Admi- 
ralty Inlet.  Tin;  vast  superiority  in  tlu'  means  of  makiiiLT  war  wiiich 
wi'  possess  on  this  coast  over  those  which  I'lngland  cimhl  commai d, 
})articuiarly  in  our  commercial  marine  and  in  men,  would  suggest,  as 
soon  as  the  city  of  San  Frani'isco  could  be;  madi^  secure,  that  we  siioidd 
make  the  war  aggi'cssive. 

Our  jn'Ople  would  never  be  satisfied  to  stand  on  the  defensive.  It 
would  be  urged  that  all  fhe  (Jovi'iiimeiit  need  to  do  in  order  to  strike 
at  the  seat  of  I'"  ^gland's  [lovver  on  this  coast  would  be  to  gi\('  the  peo- 
l»le  arms  and  ;.n':';'s;  that  Vancouver's  Tslaiid  and  the  islands  of  the 
Sail  Juan  A  •;  iji]>''l:go  could  be  oveirun  in  a  short  time;  that  \'ictoiia 
and  the  na  \l  'lur'^!  :■  of  l\s(]uimault  would  fall  an  early  prey,  and  that 
the  English,  'f  h-  \  eoidd  not  be  driven  from  the  neighboring  waters, 
would  soon  be  e.x    c'l'  I  from  the  land. 

Such,  in  theoininon  of  the  J>oard,  would  probably  be  th?  course  of  .i 
war,  even  at  the  present  <lay.  If  there  bo  any  persons  dispo-^ed  to  doid)t 
it,  the  vastly  more  rapid  latio  with  which  our  population  .Mid  wi  altli 
on  this  coast  aie  increasing  over  those  of  tlie  Uritish  indicate.;  'Jiat, 
with  a  wise  foresight  in  making  the  needful  preparatifuis,  tlu'  day  is 
fast  approae,liing  when  such  a  conclusion  will  l>e  made  manifest  to  minds 
the  least  sanguine. 

(10)  SiKi  I  war,  however,  to  be  successful,  would  re(|uire  the  co-(»i)- 
eration  oT  ie.e  Navy  and  a  large  fleet  of  transports,  'ihese  would  le- 
(|uire  fortii-e '■  ii'-lois  of  refuge  on  our  own  shores,  where  they  could 
rendezvous  i.,  security  and  be  furnished  with  all  necessary  sujtplies 
and  pro\isions. 


3G 


FORTIFICATIONS    FI'ON    ri'CiFT    SOFXI). 


Two  sucli  IiuiImus — Ni'(''iili  liny  and  i'oit  1  )is(;nv('iv — at  citlici'  cml 
of  tlic  Htiaits  of  l-'iica,  liavc  already  Ix'cu  indicated  Ity  the  Hoard, 
Unless  Adiniralty  Inlet  can  be  (;Iose(l  l)y  tortifi(!ations,  tiiere  OM,i;lit  to 
be  another  fort  iiied  naval  lendezvoiis  on  the  waters  of  this  inlet  oi'  those 
of  i*n.i;et  Sonnd.  And  this  harbor  bein;;'  within  onr  territory,  and 
nearei'  by  land  to  the  sonrees  ol"  supply  than  either  of  the  others,  would 
]iroba!)ly,  in  the  event  of  wai',  .i;row  to  be  the  most  inii)ortaiit. 

With  thr(e  such  harbors  so  located  arid  icndered  entirely  secure  by 
fortili(tations,  and  lurnishul  with  all  indispensable  sui)plies,  and  with 
San  Francisco  as  a  fourth,  from  wlu  nee  a  licet  of  huj^c,  ])owerful,  and 
swift  steamers  could  be  leadily  dispatched,  capable  of  lrans]»oi tiiijj  a 
foriindable  Ibice  in  a  few  da\  s  tothe  scene  of  hostilities,  it  would  iiuleed 
require  a  ^ast  supeiiority  ol'  na\'al  foice  on  th(i  side  of  our  eneniy  to 
]»revent  a  successlul  descent  at  souu'  point  on  the  shore  of  ^'ancouver'.s 
Islaiul. 

(M)  Wo  have  yet.  howcvci',  to  considei'  the  reasons  which  induce  us 
t(»  reconmu'iid  the  Ibrtilication  of  some  onc^  of  the  many  ^ood  harbors 
to  be  found  in  the  waters  of  W'ashinjiton  Teriitoiy.  We  a^ree  in  >,'en- 
eral  terms  with  the  views  of  (Jeneral  Totten  as  to  the  impracti(;ability 
(d"  coin])letely  closin;;-  the  entrance  to  Admiralty  Inlet.  The  width  of 
the  channel  would  rcipiiic  an  iidei  i  '  diate  fort,  and  the  i^reat  de]>th  vt' 
water  (some  L'OO  feet),  and  the  cons^r,  enormous  cost,  would  forbid 

us  to  recommend  its  c(Mistruction,  even  >'e  knew  it  to  be  jtracticable. 
It  will  be  seen,  however,  in  the  seipiel  tii.it  we  would  not  therefore  re- 
linquish all  control  o\cr  tlu'  wateis  of  this  passa,ne. 

The  same  iciisons.  however,  which  force  us  to  abaiulon  this  posit io)i 
wUl  drive  us  from  the  line  of  defense  which  (leneral  Totten  has  rec- 
ommended at  Fonhveather  Point.  These  icasous  may  be  stated  in  the, 
words  of  (leneral  Totten,  when  speakin,ii'  of  a  jtossible  chaniu'l  fort  at 
Admiralty  Jlead,  to  be  '"the  enoiiiious  cost  it  would  involve  as  com- 
pared with  the  im|)erfect  protection  it  would  alford,"  and  we  mi.^ht  add, 
too,  with  the  inii)ortance  of  the  olijects  to  be  protected. 

It  will  be  re(;ollected  that  (leneral  Totten  reconriuended  four  forts 
for  this  line.  As  the  pro\ince  of  these  forts  would  be,  not  merely  to 
protect  an  anchorajie,  bar  to  bar  tlie  passa.u'c  of  an  cnem;  *t  fleet  thiouuh 
channels  wIum'c  his  \essels  would  Ix;  out  of  danj^er  as  soon  as  they  iuid 
passed  beyond  ran;ii(',  the  forts  would  reipiire  to  be  lar<;'e  and  heavily 
armed.     They  would,  of  c(Mii'st',  be  very  costly. 

In  the  opiinon  of  this  Hoard  it  is  not  to  be  sui)posed  that  the  true 
interests  of  the  (Tovernmeut  (;an  justify  Congress,  before  onr  jjreat  com- 
mercial centers — such  as  New  York,  Boston,  and  San  J-'raucisco — are 
half  fortilied,  in  nuddnj'"  heavy  appropriations  to  defend  a  wilderness  of 
waters  merely  because  they  happen  to  l)e  within  our  territory. 

(12)  To  set  this  matter  in  its  true  li.uht,  we  will  mak(^  a  renmrk  in 
relation  to  the  fort  which  (leneral  Totten  ))ropose(l  in  the  chaniu'l  be- 
tween Foulweather  Point  and  Double  iJlulf. 

The  distance  between  these  two  points  was  stated  by  (leneral  Totten 
to  be  about  LV.  miles. 

The  recent  Irianuuhition  of  the  ('oast  Survey,  howescr,  makcN  this 
distance  .'!  miles  and  ."i(i(  yj  ils.  The  width  is,  thendoie,  some  tliree- 
((Uarters  of  a  mile  ^reatei'  than  that  stated  by  (leneral  Totten.  ami  tli<' 
mid  channel  fort  coidd  not,  thei'clore,  furnish  as  sccuie  a  defense  as  was 
supposed. 

It  is.  however,  in  ridation  to  its  (;ost  that  we  desire  to  call  particular 
attention. 

The  Deard  has  no',  as  yet,  been  iible  to  asc(>itain  the  dei)th  of  water 


lOKTIFICATIOXS    VVnS    PUGKT    SOTN]). 


87 


jii  wliicli  this  lort  would  be  foiiiKlcd,  hut,  1;ikiii,n'  tlif  Inisl  dcpili  ^^ivoii 
l)y  the.  Coast  Survey  iskctcli,  this  <le|»tli  at  nitMU  low  wati'v  would  lie 
S.l  latlionis  or  ."il  Ici't.  As  tlu^  tide  list's  licre  somh-  S  feet,  tlio  ])aiade 
ot' the  I'oit  would  liavc  to  Itc  at  least  KM'eet  al)ove  low  water.  This 
would  r(M]uire  the  Idling'  lor  tlie  ioundatiou  for  the  tort  to  he  (11  feet 
deep. 

'I'he  course  of  proceed  in, i;'  iu  s\'ch  a  cas(>  would  l)e  t(«  throw  in  loose 
stones  and  let  theiu  seek  tlie  ijottoii.  and  tlieir  natural  sh.pe  up  to  low- 
water  mark. 

There  tiu'  niasonry  foundations  of  the  scarp  would  start,  tlie  interi(U' 
or  parade  heinji'  lilh'd  up  with  stone,  hnely  hioken.so  as  to  retain  a  tew 
feet  of  earth  on  top.  Vor  our  present  purposes  tiu'  whole  foundation 
may  ite  re^uarded  as  of  pirrrrs  pcyditcs. 

'J'lu'  fort,  heiu.u  iu  luulchannel,  would  i»robahly  he  hexa.uoind.  Let 
us  suppose  we  ha\'e  si.v  casemate  ;^uns  <ui  each  lace,  fi'ivin^'  tiiirty-six 
<';.seiiiate  ,i;uns  in  one  tier,  or  seventy-two  in  two  tii'rs.  The  sides  of 
sucli  a  he.xaji'onal  foun<hltiou  when  coinph'ted  would  he  about  L'OS  feet 
and  ti  inches  lon.u". 

Xow.  if  wi'  assume  that  the  stone  will  stand  under  -the  action  of  the 
currents  and  waves  at  a  slope  of  tour  base  to  one  i»erpendi(ular,  we  will 
I'ecpiiie  about  700. ()()()  cubic;  yards  of  stone  lillinn'  ibr  such  a  Ibundation. 
The  stone  would  have  to  be  (pnirrietl,  loaded  on  vesst'ls.  transported  to 
tlu'  sire,  and  thrown  ovei'hoard.  Xot  kuowiuii'  the  chara(;ter  of  the 
stoiu's  which  would  he  used,  or  the  plac(Mvliere  tlieyciudd  he  obtained, 
it  is  diilicult  to  estimate  the  cost  with  accuracy. 

We  are  of  the  oi)inioii,  however,  that  tluMtost  of  such  a  lbi;::datiou, 
when  completed,  would  not  be  less  than  l.">  cents  per  cidtic  loot,  or.  say, 
^X  per  cui)ic  yard.  This  would  j;ive  700,01)0  cubic  yards,  at  >'1  = 
$1.*..S0(»,0(I0  lor  the  cost  of  the  foundation. 

We  imty  safely  add  another  nnllion  of  (h)llars  fbi'  the  cost  of  construi't- 
in^'  this  lort  after  the  foundation  .sha',!  have  been  completed. 

\\'heM  we  reuKMuber  that  the  chaniiel  at  this  place  is  more  than  ."J 
miles  wide,  and  that  two  other  large  foits,  one  on  eaidi  shore,  are  nec- 
essary to  close  it,  and  that  a  fourth  fort  at  Tala  I'oiid  will  be  recpured 
to  i'omplete  the  line  of  defense;  that  the  barrier  when  liuished  will  be 
still  imperfect,  owini:'  to  the  width  of  the  channel,  we  ar«^  led  to  the  con- 
clusion that  the  cost  i.s  out  of  ])roi)ortion  to  the  protection  which  could 
be  obtaine<l. 

We  adnnt  that  tlie  reasons  for  aliaiulonin;:  this  ])ositi<ui  are  uut  so 
strong  as  those  winch  hold  good  in  lefereiice  to  a  possible  liiu'  at  Ad- 
ndralty  Head,  yet  we  believe  them  to  be  sulhcient  to  justify  the  conclu- 
sion at  which  we  have  arrived. 

The  line  is  ]»ossibie,  and  the  day  may  come  in  the  far  distant  futuie 
when  this  wilderness  will  be  converted  into  the  seat  of  so  much  wealth 
and  co.aiiueice  as  tojustify  jiosterity  in  constructing  it. 

(1.'))  Retiring  thend'orc!  vithin  these  waters,  antl  remembering  that 
there  is  no  one  place  of  sulllcient  importance  iu  itself  as  to  re(|uire  i)ro- 
lection,  the  JJoard  would  endeavor  to  select  some  one  harltor.  which  may 
be  seciu'cly  and  cheaply  Ibrtilied,  and  where  all  our  rescuirces  in  these 
waters  in  time  of  war  may  be  concentrate<l  in  satety. 

\\'e  want  a  fortilied  harbor  of  I'cfuge,  a  secuie  rendezvous  for  our 
}sa\  al  and  Mercantile  ]\larine,  a  i)lace  where  coal,  ])ro\isions,  ammuni- 
tion, and  all  other  necessaiy  supplies  can  be  obtained,  and  where  re- 
pairs can  be  made. 

The  i»ositi(»n  should  be  such  as  to  ])eiinit  the  establishment  to  be  en- 
larged with  tlu!  growth  of  the  country,  and  linally,  when  a  Navy- Yard 


38 


FORTIFICATIONS    UPON    PUGET    SOUND. 


of  con.sti'uctioii  is  wanted,  that  U,  too,  iiia.r  be  added.  If  there  were 
only  one  or  two  j^ood  harbor.s  in  tlu'se  waters  the  dillieulty  of  ehoosin<;' 
L«-iween  them  woidd  he  easy,  hut  the  troi'.'oh'  is  there  are  so  niany  suctli 
l)la('es,  i'a(!h  with  its  advanta<;es  and  disadvanta;;es,  as  to  make  the 
choice  between  tliem  (lil1i(Hilt  and  render  the  discussion  of  the  ([uestion, 
if  we  enter  upon  tlieir  eompaiative  merits,  almost  interminable.  I'ort 
Discoveiy,  l*ort  Townsend,  I'ort  Ludlow,  l\)rt  (i.imble.  Hood's  (Janal 
(which  nii^ht  be  closed  by  fortilieations  at  its  mouth),  Port  Orchard, 
Seattle,  rn^ict  Sound  (which  mi^iit  be  fortilied  hy  a  line  at  Point  De- 
liance),  as  well  as  several  other  places,  have  all  been  s[»oUen  of  in  this 
<'onneetion. 

In  the  hasty  examination  which  the  P>oard  was  enabled  to  make  of 
these  waters  during  the  jiast  summer  it  did  not  i)r(»i>ose  to  settle  this 
imjiortant  tinestion.  It  will  say,  howevei-,  that  it  was  favorably  im- 
]»ressed  with  the  advantajLies  of  the  i'ort  Orehaid  Channel,  to  the  west- 
ward of  l>ai.nl)rid,iie  Island,  for  naval  puritoses. 

This  is  a  tine  sheet  of  water,  perfectly  defensible  by  inexpensive  forti- 
fications at  the  entrances  south  and  north  of  IJainbridue  Island.  The 
shores  are  compaiatively  low,  and  therefore  i"avorable. 

There  is  ample  room  for  all  jjossibhi  jauposes.  TheanchorajiC  is  good; 
the  eniraiu-es  are  so  narrow  and  so  favorable  for  defense  that  tiiey  could 
])robal)ly  be  ludd  by  simple  earthworks  carryiiij;'  a  few  heavy  ,uuns. 

1'he  surveys  lelt  a  doubt  in  our  minds  about  tlu'  dei)th  of  water  at  the 
entrances,  but  from  the  soundiu<js  we  were  enabled  to  make  we  were 
led  to  believ<^  that  it  was  ami)le  for  the  heaviest  men-of-war.  This  mat- 
ter might,  however,  re(]uire  more  minute  investigation  than  we  were 
enablecl  to  make. 

If  this  harbor  were  only  on  the  other  shore  of  Admiralty  Inlet,  the 
Poard,  with  the  light  now  before  them,  would  regard  it  as  without  a 
rival. 

('4)  Lak(^  Washington  (fresh-water)  is  situated  within  L*  or  ;!  miles 
of  Seattle,  having  its  outlet  into  Dwamish  Uay.  This  lake  is  said  to 
be  some  oO  miles  long  and  to  be  of  ami)le  depth.  It  is  said  that  it  can 
be  easily  conne(.'ted  l)y  a  ship-canal  with  Admiralty  Inlet,  and  that  an 
al)undance  cf  good  coal  (one  vein  !>  fe( .  thick)  is  I'ound  in  the  neighboi-- 
liood. 

Jf  these  things  be  all  true,  and  if  the  construction  of  the  iu-o])osed 
.ship-canal  would  not  l)e  found  too  expensive,  tlu'  position  would  cer- 
tainly ]iossess  strong  claims  to  be  considered  in  choosing  the  site  of  r 
naval  station  for  this  part  of  our  coast.  The  more  ])articuiarly  as  ar,y 
railroad  which  iriay  be  made  in  the  future  (whether  the  Northern  Pacilic 
or  the  Oregon  Pranch  of  the  Cential  Pacitic),  will  in  all  i)robability  have 
its  termiinis  on  the  sound,  either  at  Seattle  or  at  some  point  on  the  mahi 
shore,  between  there  and  ()lym])ia. 

(15)  The  Poard  is  of  the  opinion  that  a  .b)int  Poard  of  Army  and 
Navy  odicers  should  be  organized  to  select  which  of  the  jiositions  in 
these  waters  is  best  suited  for  a  naval  and  militaiy  dejtot. 

The  lioai'd  should  examin(^  all  the  waters  carefully,  and  if  no  better 
])Osition  is  found  below  Point  Defmnce,  then  the  Poard  would  be  in  fa- 
\ov  of  so  fortifving  that  line  as  to  secure  all  the  wateis  above  it, 


Th 


fort ifu-at ions  of  this  line  would  not  ])robably  be  very  exjiensive,  as  the 
]>oard  is  disjiosed  to  think  that  it  may  be  nmde  secure  i)y  earthworks, 
avoiding  thereby  the  expense  of  nuisonry  or  iron  scarps. 

(10)  Jf  this  line  should  ever  be  adoi)ted  it  will  be  m-cessary,  in  order 
to  connnaml  the  waters  in  the  best  mai*:..  r,  to  ha\  e  a  w  oik  on  the  west- 
ern shore  north  of  the  entrance  to  (iig-  Harbor. 


FORTIFICATIONS    UTOX    PI'GKT    SOUND. 


39 


For  this  i)nri)osi' a  rosiMvatioii  of  \.\  inilcs  on  the  shore  from  the  eii- 
triiDce  to  this  liiirhor  slioiihl  be  inailc  extending'  inliuid  oiielialf  of  ii 
iniU\  And  in  or(h'r  to  brinj;  achlitioiial  lire  to  liearcm  tlie  waters  Just 
ontsi(h>  of  Point  Delianee  a  work  on  \'aslion  Inland  will  Ix;  necessary. 
To  tliis  end  a  reservation  eoverinj;'  tlte  whole  shore  of  the  southern  enil 
of  that  island  v.onid  be  recpiired. 

In  view  of  the  jjossibility  of  this  delense  beiii.y  eventnally  adopted, 
rhe  J>oard  leeoniinends  that  application  be  now  inaile  for  fhes(^  two 
I'eservations. 

(17)  As  to  the  reservations  at  l-'onlwcather  I'oint,  the  JJoard  is  of  the 
oi»inion  that  they  had  betttn-  be  retained  for  the  i>resent. 

Althou^i'h  for  the  icasoiis  above  ^iven,  tlu^  Uoard  can  not  reeoinniend 
this  line  of  defense,  yet  it  may  l>i'  tliouulit  necessary,  at  some  future 
time,  to  close  Hood's  (Janal.  and  if  so,  the  jxtsitions  of  l'\>ulweather 
Point,  Tala  Point,  and  Hood's  Head  ai'c  well  chosen  for  this  ])urpose, 
and  in  the  event  supposed  the  occupation  of  Double  IMulf  would  <;'reatly 
strengthen  the  position. 

(IS)  I'or  sin. ilar  reasons  the  P)oard  would  iu)t  recommend  the  reiin- 
iiuisliment  of  the  leseivations  at  the  entrance  of  Adnnralty  Iidet.  Al- 
tliouji'h,  from  the  width  and  (h'pth  of  this  channel,  we  can  not  hope  to 
completely  close  the  i)assa^(?  by  fortilicalions,  yet  tins  Hoard  is  of  the 
opinion,  as  before  statetl,  that  we  need  not  therefore  necessarily  aban- 
don all  control  oNcr  these  waters, 

riieoccupati(Mi  of  Admiralty  Head,  Point  N\'ils(Ui.  Point  Hudson,  and 
3Iarrowstone  I'oint  by  tenqxnary  batteries,  to  be  thrown  up  (ui  the 
occurrence  of  war,  and  canTinj;-  a  few  of  our  heaviest  i^uns,  mii4ht  be 
of  .i:reat  service. 

^Vithout  their  oecujiation  the  enemy  woitld  be  tree  to  station  a  pait 
of  his  fleet  at  Port  Townsend,  or  under  the  lee  of  Point  Wilson,  ov  in 
Admiralty  J>ay,  and  l)lockade  all  the  waters  of  the  sound,  ^\■ith  their 
occu])ation  as  su,ii'^'este(l  he  could  not  do  so. 

Let  it  be  suj>pose(l.,  foi-  instatme,  that  we  ha\ c  a  war  with  such  an 
enemy  as  (ireat  Britain.  Let  Keeah  Lay  and  I'ort  Discovery  \n^  forti- 
tied  as  we  have  recommended,  ami  let  us  su])pose  that  we  ha\<'  a  mival 
and  militarv  de])ot  at  sonic  point  near  Seattle,  or  above  it,  also  forti- 


lied.  Now,  with  batt'-ries  of  heavy  .uuns,  (;apable  ttf  throwinji'  heavy 
shells  acaoss  the  waters  of  this  inlet,  controlling"  all  aiudioraycs  an<l  com- 
manding' the  w  ater  lo  the  distance  of  say  oui^  mile  from  the  shores,  there 
would  be  left  only  a  very  narrow  i)assa,u('  in  wluch  tlie  enemy  would 
be  comparatively  safe,  a  space  too  narrow  for  a  naval  enjia^^ement. 

If  the  enemy  wishes  to  blockade  these  Avaters  he  must  pass  inside  of 
Port  Townseiul,  and  with  anythin<;  like  an  e(piality  of  naval  force  he 
would,  in  that  case,  be  likely  to  Hiid  himself  l)loc1;aded,  or  I'orced,  at 
least  in  returnin,i:-,  to  li^ht  a  naval  battle  at  a  jireat  disailvanta.ue,  in 
waters  covered  by  shore  batteries,  where  we  would  b(>  free  to  maneuver 
ami  h(^  would  not,  where  onr  crip])U'd  a  essel  oi'  vessels  would  be  free 
to  seek  a  ])lace  ot  security,  lioth  within  the  headlands  and  outside!  of 
them,  at  Port  Diseoveiy. 

\Vitliout  the  aid  of  any  auxiliary  means  of  defense,  sucli  as  torpedoes, 
which  could  perhaps  be  anchored  in  mid channid  between  Admiralty 
Head  and  the  opi>osite  shores,  it  is  the  o)>inion  of  the  lioard  that,  with 
anythinii'  appi'oachin.u'  an  ecpudity  oi'  naval  torce  in  these  waters,  the 
enemy  would  be  slow  to  trust  his  licet,  much  less  a  jiart  of  it,  inside  of 
the  fortified  headlands. 

Xotidnji' less  than  tlu'  destriu'ti<ui  of  our  own  Heet.  (u-  an  immense 
superiority  of  na\a!  means  on  the  part  of  ihe  enemy,  would  justify  such 


40 


FORTIFICATIONS    IT'ON    PrOKT    SOrND. 


ill)  niliiipiise,  ihmI  rveii  in  tlic.sc  cases  it  is  jtrolmltli!  lliat  ilic  olijci'ts  to 
!)(',  iic(;()n!i)lisli('(l  would  not  Just ily  tiic  rislis  to  be  cncoiuitcKM].  Wo 
tlu'H'I'oic  U'coiiiiiu'IkI  till'  ivtentioii  oftlu;  ii'st-ivatioiis  in  tiiis  vicinity. 
(I!»)  I'ntil  a  i>lan  lor  the  ilofcnse  of  these  waters  is  linally  a(loi)te(l, 
the  J)oar»l  would  also  i«'connu(-nd  the  leteuHon  of  the  reservations  at 
Deception  Pass,  'J'his  ])ass  is  so  nariow  and  diflicult,  that  one  (piite  in- 
expensive work  will  he  sulhcient  to  close  it  ajjainst  an  enemy.  Owiny 
to  the  steauier  upon  which  the  Ijoard  was  eiuiiarkcd  not  liavin;;'  sulli- 
eient  ]»ower,  it  was  unable,  altlioii-^h  iiiakini;-  exciy  effort  to  do  so,  to  j^'o 
entirely  thr()u,yh  this  pass,  and  it  can  not  therelore  say  which  of  tlie 
resei  vations  at  this  ]ilace  should  be  retaine(l  foi'  fortilieation  purposes. 


llECAPm  I.A'i'lO.N. 

(1 )  'J"he  Uoard  recoiunieiHlstlieconstru(dion  of  a  military  road  from  the 
Coluiidiia  IJiver  to  the  waters  ot'  I'uj^et  Sound,  and  that  the  sum  of 
.'i'lM  10.(1(11)  be  ai)]>roi»riated  for  this  ]»urpose. 

(li)  The  ]}oaid  recomuH'uds  that  >.'e(''ah  I  lay  be  made  a  harbor  of 
r(;fu<i'e  U\v  our  iNaval  and  ('ommer(;ial  .Marine:  that  it  be  fortilied,  i'.nd 
that  the  sum  of  ■'?'o,(l(l(t  be  a]>pr()]>riated  to  make  the  necessary  surveys 
toeiudile  thelJoard  to  jirepare  ])lans  and  estimates  ;  also  that  Wa-addah 
Island,  ivoitlah  Point  ami  the  southein  shoi'c  from  Ih'i-adah  Point,  for 
the  distance  of  li  nules  to  the  westward,  be  reserved  for  militai'v  i)ur- 
poses. 

{'A)  The  ])oard  recommends  that  Port  J)iscovery  be  also  uuule  a  har- 
bor of  refuge,  and  that  tiie  sum  of  >5'">, (>((()  be  ap|)r(»priated  to  make  the 
necessaiy  detailed  surveys,  to  enable  the  J>oard  to  prei)are  plans  and 
estimates. 

(4)  Ihe  ]>oard  recommends  that  the  resei'vat  ions  of  lands  for  military 
purposes  which  have  been  made  at  Xew  Dunjifuess  JI;irb(»r  be  with- 
drawn. 

(■))  The  ]>oard  recommends  the  retention  for  the  ])resent  of  all  the 
land  which  has  been  reserved  for  military  ])urposes  at  the  entrance  to 
Adnnralty  inlet;  at  Foulweather  Point  and  the  adjacent  Khores;  at 
the  Narrows  of  Puget  Sound,  and  at  J)ece])tion  Pass;  and  that  two 
additional  reservations  be  made  at  tL<'  Nairows — one  on  the  southern 
shore  of  N'ashon  Island,  the  other  on  the  main  shore  just  north  of  (ii,y' 
Harbor. 

(())  The  Uoai'd  does  in)t  recommend  the  construction  of  any  fortifica- 
tions at  the  present  time  in  the  waters  of  A<hniralty  lidet  or  Puj>et 
Sound,  l)ut  it  does  advise  that  a  Joint  lioard  of  Army  and  Navy  Ollicers 
be  organized  to  select  which  of  the  harbors  in  these  waters  shouhl  be 
chosen  as  a  naval  and  nulitaiy  dei)ot,  and  Avhen  the  selection  is  made 
that  this  harbor  be  tbrtilied. 

Kespectfully  subnutted. 

(iEouGK  II.  Elliot. 

Major  of  l\iit/iii(crs. 
G.  II.  Men  DELL, 
Major  of  Eufiinvevs,  Jirt.  Col.,  U.  S.  A. 
J>.  S,  ALEXANDKI!, 
Jh-t.  llriii.  den..  I  .  aS.  .1.. 
J'res'nloit  Itoartl  (f  J-J)i<jinars,  Pafifie  i'oant. 

ClIAS.   AV.    IkAYMOM), 


Ma,;.  (jCii.  A.  A.  HrMPUUEY^, 

ChUf  (f  En(jini'<:r:<,  ('.  S.  A. 


Capiiilii  of  J-Jni/ino  r.s, 

licconlcr  of'  Hoarif, 


FORTIFICATIONS    IPoX    I'UdKT    SOFMt. 


41 


I  :iiii  of  till'  nitiiiioii  tliiit  tlic  ii|)|»r()i)riiition  of  8-("*, '*'><>,  tor  tlic  Tort- 
A'^v  IJoiids.  licrciii  :i>k('(l  loi',  should  not  hf  iiiiulc  lor  tlit-  pivs»  ,it,  as  ir  is 
almost  certain  lliat  jirivatr  t'litcriirisc  will  put  this  road  in  j;<)od  icpaii'. 
since  tialUc  upon  it  is  (tonstantiy  increasini;.  If,  after  a  year  or  two,  ir 
is  found  that  the  actual  project  of  nudcinjia  toll  plaidcroad  is  not  carried 
out,  or  the  I'Oiul  l»e  not  otherwise  inipi'o\'ed,  1  he  appropriation  should 
be  made. 

(illoKliK   II.  KlMoI, 
Major  <>/'  Kiniimcfs, 


ISAN  I'JJANCISCO.  Ca-I...  Junr  C,  ISOfl. 
(  1i;.m:i?AI,:  Desirous  of  a  fiord  in, :;■  \(>u  all  possiitle  infornnition  concein- 
in,u' >\diiiiralty  Inlet  and  I'Uiict  Sound,  and  recollect  in  ^4'  that  ('aptaiii 
l^liiot  nnide  a  professional  visit  there,  with  (ieneral  McDowell  in  lS(i4. 
I  have  ai)i)lied  to  the  captain  for  a  copy  ol  liis  re|)()rt,  which  I  herewitli 
inclose.  J  may  add  that  I  iuid  not  read  his  I'oport  until  after  theiuie 
I  mailed  to  you  two  days  aj^o  was  wiitten,  and  I  am  .'^lad  to  see  that  hi.s 
views  on  the  sultject  are  nearly  coinculent  with  mine. 

1  lunc  the  honor  to  lie,  very  respect IV.Ily,  your  ohedient  servant. 

If."  S.  Williamson, 

Mtijor  of  KiHi'niciys. 

lu-t.' lAriit.  Co).,  r. ,v.  A. 

3IaJ.  (ien.  If.  Dklafield, 

Chit'/ Ell ffincr  ('.  S.  A. 


ASTOKIA,  Orecon,  Scpirmhcr  !>,  ism. 

Colonel  :  In  ol)edieiK;e  to  your  order  ol"  the  17th  ultiuu)  I  emliarkeil 
at  San  I'l^ancisco  on  the  Sierra  .\<'r(ul((  steam-ship  on  the  IStli.  for  the 
])urpose  of  accompaiiyinjj  Major  (Jeneral  McDowell,  commandiuii-  this 
De])artnieiit,  on  his  northern  tour  of  inspect  itui.  We  airived  at  \'ictoria 
on  the  -I'd.  lJemainiu;i;'  thei«'  till  the  L*4th  instant,  we  pioceeded  in  the 
U.  S.  steam  cutter  *S7r»/>r/c/.',  to  the  various  militaiy  positions  on  l'n<;et 
Soniid  and  its  wafers. 

Our  route  was  from  ^'ictoria  to  I'ort  .Vn^elos.  thepi'esent  i»ortof  en- 
try for  Pnget  Sound  district;  to  San  -luan  Island,  which  we  o(;en]>y 
Jointly  with  the  British  ;  to  l-'oi't  r>ellin.i;hain,  an  unoci-upied  military 
l)0st ;  to  Port  ])iscovery,  recommendi'd  by  Whiting'  and  Stonen  an  for 
<i  naval  depot;  to  Fort  Town.send,  an  nnoeeni»ied  militaiy  ])ost;  to 
Penu's  Harbor,  where  we  have  a  military  reservation:  to  Toiiit  Deti- 
anee,  a  reservation  for  fortitiitations  ;  to  Fort  Steilacoom,  now  occupied 
by  troops  ;  and  to  ()lymi)ia.  at  the  head  of  Puj;et  Sound.  On  our  route 
Ave  also  visited  sev  -ral  Indian  reservations. 

INIcstof  the  niilitiay  reservations  ab()\(i  nam  'd  were  mule  diiriii.u'  the 
early  days  of  tlu'  Te/ritory,  and  are  of  no  value  tor  juirposes  (»f  fortifi- 
cations. The  country  biM'derin.u' on  l'ii_u'et  Sound  and  itsadja«;ent  waters 
is  very  si)ai'se|y  settled,  and  it  is  densely  covereil  by  almost  iini)enetra- 
l)le  forests. 

As  a  defense  of  these  waters  will  involve  the  expenditur*'  of  a  very 
lar^^e  sum  of  luimey.  much  ;4ieater  than  the  present  interests  tlieic  will 
warrant,  1  think  they  should  not  be  commenced  till  tlu'  loi-ation  of  the 
naval  depot  is  determined.     It  will  reipiiic  defense,  and  it  is  prol>able 


42 


FORTIFICATIONS    Il'ON    ITCiF/r    SOIND. 


tliat  li.v  tli<'  time  it  is  ('oimiiu'IkmmI  tlic  IiiiiiIkt  iiitcirsts  will  cause  the 
('oiintry  to  be  iniu^li  iii<)i<'  tliickly  scttliMl  than  it  now  is. 

Ill  llic  icport  of  W'liitiiij;'  and  St<»n<'in;in,  wliicli  you  yav*'  iiu'  (o  read,  it 
is  statt'd  that  the  navy-yard  should  'ic  at  I'oit  Discovery,  wiiicli  is  nearly 
oi»p()sito,  Victoria,  on  Vancouver  Island. 

This  is  a  very  excelU'iit  harbor,  but  it  is  Hanked  Iiy  two  others,  tlnr 
waters  ot"  wliicli  approach  it  closely,  as  you  will  sei'  by  rerereiicc  to  the 
nui]).  1  refer  to  I'ort.  Townsend  and  Wa^^liin^rton  harbors,  l-'roin  the 
loiiiier  I  believe  shells  can  be  thrown  into  I'oit  J)isc(»very  and  troojts 
would  be  required  to  protect  its  inner  hariior  iViUii  parties  whieli  ini^ht 
belauded  by  an  enemy  in  either  of  the  others,  l-'or  this  reason,  and 
becaiisi^  the  naval  depot  ou.'^ht  to  be 'placi'd  in  a  jtosition  where  its  outer 
defenses  may  be  multi|ilied  if  tliou;;lit  nei-essai^  ,  I  think  some  position 
on  Tuiict  Sound  inside  the  "Narrows"  would  l)e  a  better  one.  There 
(!an  b(?  foi'  J'nf^'ct  Sound  two  lines  of  defenses.  The  lirst,  at  the  head  ol" 
Admiralty  Inlet,  between  ^\'llidbey  Island  and  tlie  main  land,  and  at 
Deception  Pass,  between  the  north  cud  (tf  Whidbey  and  the  south  end 
of  Fidaljio  Island. 

The  second,  at  the  "Narrows,'*  the  most  fa\(ual)le  position  <»n  Adini- 
lalty  Inlet,  which  is  the  only  route  to  I'u;;'et  Sound  used  by  commeicial 
vessels,  is  so  wide,  that  it  will  leijiiire  a  comliination  of  torts  and  ircm- 
clads  for  its  defense.  Deception  Pass  we  did  not  visit,  l)it  I  Itelieve.  it 
is  very  narrow  (say  one-half  mile),  and  although  the  (turreiit  is  too  rapid 
for  sailiuji'  vessels,  it  can  be  used  by  steamers. 

\\\'  lia\'e  no  reserves  for  fortilications  at  Admiralty  Inlet  or  at  De- 
ception Pass,  These  are  the  two  routes  of  access  by  water  to  the  '•  Nar- 
lows,"  the  single  entrance  to  Pujict  Sound.  At  the  head  of  the  '••Nar- 
rows"''we  have  two  rest-rves,  one  on  each  side.  On  tlu^  ri.^lit  I'ank  is 
Point  Defiaii(;e,  the  most  commandin^f  position  of  any  inside  the  Straits 
of  Juan  de  I'uca.  It  is  so  hij;li,  however,  that,  haviuju'deep  waterelose 
to  it,  then^  will  be  re(]uired  a  work  on  the  opposite  shore.  Should  it  be 
necessary  to  make  this  entrance  to  Puj^et  Sound  still  more  dililii'ulr,  any 
number  of  jiuns  desired  can  be  plaited  still  furrher  up  the  "Nai-rows." 

Above  the  Straits  of  Juan  de  Fuca  (towards  the  (lulf  of  (ieorgia)  I 
do  not  see  that  Ibrtiiications  will  be  recpiired  for  a  loiij;'  lime.  We  have 
no  settlements  in  that  ])art  of  the  country  ;  and  arthouiih  the  San  .Tuaii 
Group  of  islands  uiidou\)tedIy  belonf;s  to  the  United  States,  I  can  not 
see  of  what  yiu'at  use  it  will  lie  to  us  ov  to  (Ireat  Britain.  We  nowoc- 
iMipy  the  island  Jointly,  each  having'  troo])s  npon  it. 

There  is  a  tine  basin  or  harbor  between  the,  islands,  which  has  six 
entrances.  Should  we  attempt  to  fortify  here,  each  of  these  would  re- 
([uire  works,  and  these  works  would  be  commanded  by  the  hills  and 
mountains  in  the  interior  of  tin?  islands. 

We  passed  from  IMiget  Sound  at  Olvinpia  by  the  portage  to  the  Cow- 
litz Itiver.  We  fouml  a  very  excellct  military  roatl  constructed  by  the 
Toi)o<;rapliical  I'njiineers.  This  piutaue  is  either  (iO  or  t)0  miles,  depend- 
ing;' on  the  staj;e  of  water  in  the  river,  and  is  an  imiiortant  line  of  eom- 
mnnication,  as  it  nniy  be  usc'd  by  ourselves  to  i)ass  troops  and  supplies 
to  Ptijict  Sound  in  case  of  a  blockade  of  the  Straits  of  Fuca,  or  l»y  an 
enemy  in  his  desire  to  attain  the  Columbia  Piver,  supposiii<;'  onr  works 
to  ]H-event  his  enterin<>'  its  mouth.  In  the  last  sense  all  the  future  works 
lor  the  defense  of  Puyet  Sound  will  add  to  the  security  of  the  Colum- 
bia Piver,  its  important  cities  and  towns,  and  the  arsenal  at  Vancouver. 

After  entering  the  Columbia  I  went  as  far  as  Walla  Walla  with  the 
(General,  \isitin;;'  Fort  Vancouver.  Fo«t  Dalles,  ami  Fort  NValla-Walla. 
Ivcturniny,  I  left  him,  by  his  iiermission,  at  Fort  \'ancouver,  ami  came 


rouTiFicATioNs  I'pox  rroin'  sorxD. 


43 


to  my  works  at  tlic  inoiitli  of  tlit'  livor.  I  noted  iKirticiiliiily  tlic  |tosi- 
tioiis  1  liavc  Itcloic  iii('iitioiu'<l  to  you  nt  wliicli  works  may  be  coii- 
stnu'tiMl  (liuin;;'  a  time  of  war  to  add  to  tlic  dcl'cnsi?  of  this  rivtT,  viz, 
tlio  Narrows,  Cotliii  l{o(;k,  Tliicc  Troc  I'oiiit.  and  'roiijjnc  Point.  Tlic 
clianncls  Iktc  arc  vciy  nairow,  and  aic  close  to  the  commandiiiL;  |>oiiits. 
1  lia\»'  the  honor  to  he,  Colonel,  xonr  ohcdient  sei'vant. 

('ii;oi;(iF<  II.  ICr.i.ioi". 

Ji'dpltlin  III'  Kuf/iint  rs. 
Col.  M.  K.  De  IJrssv, 

Corps  III'  L' II  <i  I  lien's.  Sun  Ffomlsrn,  Cal.  ^ 

XoTK. — I'lisct  Sound  is  a  name  often  ciroiicously  ,ni\cn  for  all  the 
waters  inside  the  Straits  of  .Iiian  de  Fiica. 

On  the  iMijilish  Admiralty  and  I'liited  States  Coast  Siir\cy  charts 
it  ai)i)lies  only  to  tlie  waters  inside  the  ••  Narrows"  at  I'oinl  Dcliaiice, 
jliul  in  this  sense  I  have  used  it  in  the  rcpoii. 

<i.  n.  i:. 


Sax  i"iiANcis;c'(>.  'hi„c  i',  IStJC. 

(IKNEIJAI, :  Your  letter  of  April  'J.j.  with  its  imdosed  pajicis.  which 
consisted  of  your  letter  to  tin-  iionorahh^  Secretary  of  War,  with  a  small 
mai)  of  Pujiet  Sound  attached,  and  a  rci>ort  of  Lieut.  NV.  11.  C.  W'hitinp', 
of  the  Cori)s  of  Enfjincers,  U.  S.  Army,  with  a  lar;;cr  map  of  the  sound 
and  the  waters  to  the  north  of  it,  was  received.  The  heavy  jiacka^i', 
havinji'  been  inclos<'d  in  a  thin  enveh)[)e,  was  broken  open,  and  possibly 
only  a  portion  of  that  sent  is  received. 

1  am  informed  by  these  ])apers  that  on  the  ITtli  of  September,  ISO,"}, 
api)li(Mtion  was  made  by  you  to  the  lionorable  Secretary  of  ^^'i\v  for 
twenty-four  military  reservations  on  Pn<>'et  Sound  and  vicinity,  and  I 
infer  that  the  applicration  liad  not  been  a(!ted  upon  at  the  date  of  your 
letter  (Ajiril  -o,  18(J(i),  and  hence  the  delay  in  furnish ini;-  nu'  tlu'  instruc- 
tions jiromised  in  your  telej^ram  of  .January  17. 

As  I  have  made  a  suivey  of  the  reservation  at  i;ellin;:h:!m  Pay.  re- 
mained two  moniliK  at  Ediz  Hook  to  build  there  a  li,;;lit-liousc.  \  isite<l 
all  the  li«jjht-liouses  in  \Vasliin<iton  Territory,  made  a  special  military 
examination  of  Deeejition  Pass  and  the  i)oints  at  the  entrance  to  Ad- 
miralty Inlet,  besides  havinji'  visited  in  a  cursory  manner  many  of  the 
ports  on  Pnjjet  Sound  iiom  Olympia  noi'th,  I  take  the  lil)erty  of  otleiiny 
an  oi)inion  as  to  some  of  the  sites  you  have  mentionv'd..  l\\  in  doin,n" 
this,  I  make  a  mistake,  and  my  opinion  is  not  expected,  I  err  on  the 
ri.nht  side. 

I  consider  that  Admiralty  Head  and  Point  Wilson  ari^  the  viral  point* 
iu  any  system  ol"  defense  for  Pn,u'et  Sound,  and  am  surprised  that  a  dc^[,L 
should  be  ex[)ressed  as  to  our  ability  to  fArfify  them.  Thei'c  is  no  lea 
son  why  tlie  stronji'est  i>ernianent  works  can  not  be  advaiUa^eously 
located  and  built  there,  the  only  obJcMttion  bein<;-  the  width  of  the  inlet 
(3  nautical  miles),  which  is  not  diminished,  according-  to  the  ('oast  Sur- 
vey ma]),  until  as  far  soutli  as  Vashon's  Island.  At  the  time  of  Whit- 
mji's  reiiort  (which  Cidonel  De  L'ussy  sliowe<l  to  me  two  years  ;\<^{t,  and 
which  I  have  just  re-read)  15  inch  jiuns  andL'OO-ponnd  rilied  pieces  had 
not  been  invented,  and  with  batteries  cd'such  j^nns  it  would  bedillicult 
for  an  enemy's  fleet  to  pass.  .V  naval  force  would,  of  course,  assist  the 
batteries  in  time  of  war. 


44 


roKTiriCATIONS    Ul'oN    ITCiKT    SOl'NI). 


TIh' I'orlif.viiiy  of  Dcci'plioii  I'nss  cim  lie  doiic  \\  itii  Irillin;;  cNitt'iist*, 
but  it  is  of  little  coiiipaiiitivc  iiiiportiiiicr,  Itt'Ciiusc  jiruhaltly  iin  iil  tiickiii;L; 
licet  would  \('iitiire  lliioii^Ii  it.  'I'iie  tide  runs  tlu'oii^li  like  a  mil!  lace, 
and  t  lidiinii  till'  water  is  deep,  the  emieiit  would  dash  a  Ncssel  tVoiii  tiiie 
side  to  the  other  in  the  narrow  pass  but  L'Ott  yards  wide.  I  know  that 
the  Sliiihrlcl:  once  went  thron.uli  it  safely,  and  it  is  ])ossil)le  that  wiuMi 
tlior(»n;4hly  surveyed  and  well  known  it  may  he  less  dan;n('rous  than  it 
is  now,  luit  with  the  present  knowh'd^ie  (if  it,  it  would  be  a  venturesome 
enemy  who  woidd  risl<  his  vessels  in  atlemptiiifi'  the  passa;;e.  It  is  an 
iniportani  poini  and  the  reeomnn-nded  ifseiNations  in  that  vicinity 
on j; lit  t(>  be  nnule,  but  the  liist  t !i in;;  to  be  done  is  to  close  t lie  entrance 
to  Admiralty  InU-l.  and  unless  that  is  done  Deception  Pass  is  of  no 
value,  lor  the  same  reasons  lor  not  Ibrtifyin;;' the  mouth  of  the  inlet. 
viz.,  its  width,  will  apply  as  well  to  all  points  north  of  \  ashon's  Island. 

No  forei^'ii  enemy  can  opei'ate  by  land  to  any  cxicnt  <ui  I'li^^'et  .Sound 
or  the  Aineriean  .side  of  t  he  Straits  of  I'^uca,  hecause  the  coiiii!  'y  is  one 
immense  pine  tbiest,  aliiwtst  impeneliablc.  If  Admiralty  Inh-t  were 
closed  ami  I'ort  1  )iscovery  lell  open  an  enemy  mi,i;ht  anchoi' in  that  Itay 
and  send  a  land  force  to  attack  Tori  'I'owiiscud -by  :  trail  lnit  •">  miles 
Ion j;',  if  there  were  no  war  vessels  there.  The  fortilicatimis,  thou.uh 
turned,  woiihl  not  be  taken,  and  the  enemy  <tou!d  advance  no  fiirthei'. 
NVa.sliin;;toii  Sound  and  New  l)un;^eness  (the  latter  has  a  liuh'diouse 
Jitid  reservation  alreatly)  are  of  the  same  ehaiMcter  as  I'ort  Discovery, 
and  so  is  I'ort  Angeles,  where  the  customhouse  now  is,  but  IV. >m  which 
place  it  should  be  removed  to  I'ort  Ttiwnscnd  ;  at  least  when  the  forti- 
fications are  erected.  These  bays  .ire  all  yood  harbors,  Imt  t  here  is  no 
c.ommuiiicatiou  between  them  except  by  water. 

It  appears  to  me  that  at  some  point  on  l'u;;et  Sound,  at  no  distant 
<biy,  there;  must  be  a  lirst-class  Xavy- Yard  for  construction  and  repairs. 
The  reasons  are  so  apparent  I  will  not  say  a  word  on  the  subject.  The 
location  of  that  yard  should  be  consiib'red  in  connection  with  any  sys- 
tem of  fortilications  that  may  be  adopted.  I  think  the  ])lace  lor  tin- 
yard  should  be  some  eli;>ible  ])oint  south  of  Point  Dellance,  and  that  that 
jioint,  or  one  or  more  similar  ones  in  tlu;  immediate  vicinity,  should  be 
considei'ed  of  next  importan(!e  to  be  fortified.  A  ileet,  some  of  the  ves- 
sels of  which  mijiht  succeed  in  ])assiii«4-  the  };uns  at  the  entrance  to  Ad- 
miralty InU't,  would  be  surely  stopped  by  the  <j;iins  at  I'oint  Detiance, 
and  the  yard  would  be  safe. 

I  liavt'  made  no  critical  examination  of  jioints  south  of  Admiralty 
Inlet,  but,  with  the  exception  of  Point  Defiance,  I  consider  them  ot 
secombuy  im])ortan(H'. 

P.iit  by  what  rii^lit  can  the  Wnv  Department  make  military  reserva- 
tions, in  time  of  jieacH',  on  ]nivate  lamls  :'  There  is  every  reason  to  sup- 
])ose  that  Point  Wilson  and  a  portion  of  Admiralty  Jlead  arc;  ]»rivate 
lands.  Forty  acres  at  the  latter  point  were  piircliased  from  Mr.  J.  ('. 
Kello;:';^  for  li.ylit  house  purposes  some  years  a;;(),  and  1  have  little  doubt 
that  ^Ir.  l''owler's  title  is  eiiually  good.  The  necessity  of  securing;  titles 
to  land  at  those  two  points  was  ])oiiitt  d  out  in  my  report  of  October 
7,  1804,  and  nrjicd  in  my  letter  of -Tanuary 'J2,  ISOO,  and  a;;ain  on  April 
17,  in  wliic^h  latter  letter  I  showed  that  by  the  delay  the  fust  a;;reement 
I  macb'  with  Mr.  Fowler,  in  which  he  aj^reed  to  sell  his  land  ibr  $1,000, 
in  ji'old  coin,  hasex))ired  by  limitation,  the  agreement  beiii.y  considere(l 
binding-  for  a  year  only,  and  that  now  Mr.  Fowler  will  agree  to  the  same 
terms  and  leiiew  his  otter,  lu-ovided  works  or  occu[)ation  of  some  kind 
w  ill  be  «'ommenced  there  somi. 

The  land  at  the  light-house  reservation  at  Admiralty  Head,  but  40 


FOUTIIICATIONS    UPON    rUGKT    SOUND. 


45 


iici'i's,  i        ,, siitliciciit  lor  inilitiiry  imr|iiist's,  pai'litMiliirly  us  tlir  ii  irtlitMii 
iMHiiuliuy  is  MDt  I'mi' «'ii()ii;;'li  iioi'tli  fi)  tiiUc  in  wlmr  will  \u>  ri'ipuKMl  tor 
siti's  of  hattt'iicM.     'I'lic  iicccssity   for  ciirly  scciii  iiij^'  tlM'.s»>  titles  is  ap- 
parent,  lor  as  soon  as  tin-  rnattfr  is  talUctl  of    he  piic^c  of  the  land  will 
ill'  ^iTcatly  cnlianccd. 

The  lainl  alioiit  l)rct'ption  I'ass  is  pnlijic;  as  to  tlu^  claimants  to  tlie 
other  points.  I  liavr  no  intorniation,  hnr  for  a  Ion;;'  time  I  have  nialer- 
stood  a  reservation  at  Point  Dellanee  was  nnide  sonn*  years  a;;o. 

I  would,  theret(»r«',  reeoinniend  that  steps  he  taken  to  secure.  l>y  jinr- 
cliase,  the  title  and  ri;;iit  of  way  t(t  the  lands  I'cquired  for  mi'itary  pur- 
poses at  I'oint  Wilson  ami  Admiralty  Head,  as  soon  as  practicable,  and 
at  any(;()st;  ami  1  l»elie\'e  that  if  the  liar;4ainean  he  made  soon  the  amount 
to  he  paid  will  l»e  tiillin^'.  Next  in  impiutance  are  the  reservations  you 
have  indi<'ated  at  I'oint  Dellanee  and  vicinity  :  one  of  which,  at  least, 
is  of  ]»araniount  inii)ortance  also.  1  would  also  recomim'nd  that  the 
other  reser\  atioiis  you  have  nuirUed  (»ut.  if  the  lands  ari'  m»w  public,  be 
made,  and  if  the  lands  are  jtrivate,  the  sites  and  titles  Ik^  »'.\amimMl,  to 
ascertain  their  value  for  the  jturposes  reiiuired. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  veiy  respectfully,  your  obedient  servaid, 

K     S,    WlI.MAMSON, 

Miijnr  1)1'  Knq'uucrK, 
llrt.  l.i'rut.  (V)/.,  /■.  ,s.  A. 

yi.\\.  (leu.   K.   DKI.AI'IELD. 

Cliirf  Kiifiiiurr,  U.  S.  A. 

r.  S. — I  lia\e  had  a  coniei'ence  wiiii  Mr.  l/iw  son.  of  the  ( 'oast  Survey, 
who  has  shown  me  a  copyof'his  insti  lu'tions.  tVoni  which  I  copy  the 
I'ollowin^' : 

Villi  will  iiiso  takciiii  tiirly  diipuii  unit  v  to  iilao'  xiiium'U'  in  rcLit  ions  with  MmJ.  IJ, 
S.  W'illiaiiisdii.  I.'.  S.  Iluniiii'iTs,  wiio  i«)  cluujied  witli  suicc'tiii;^  sites  for  I'oitilicatidiis 
III  ^\'asilill,i;toll  'IVi ritoiy.  aii<l  will  cxrciilc  micIi  .s|it'('ial  siiivi'\s  as  ho  may  dcsiri'. 

Mr.  Lawsoii  ex]u-esses  a  desire  to  I'oiward  my  views  to  the  fullest  ex- 
tent, and  when  1  asked  him  if  he  considered  his  instructions  to  be  so 
constiued  as  to  furnish  me  transptutation  in  his  \essel  to  the  points 
to  be  examiiu'd,  his  answer  was  in  the  allii  inative.  1  do  not  nu-an  trans- 
j)ortation  lVt)m  heie.  but  from  otie  point  to  be  examined  toanothei'.  Mr. 
Lawson's  duties  at  internu'diate  points  will  take  him  several  months  lie- 
fore  he  will  be  in  the  xiciiiity  of  the  nearest  point  marked  by  you  for  a 
reservation. 

|{.  S.  Williamson. 
Majnr  of  Ihiii'tncers, 
llrt.  lAciit.  Col.,  ('.  .S'.  .1. 


lIl'.AIX^rAKTERS   DeI'AKTMEN T   OF    THE    rACiriC. 

Sf(n  l-'ftOicixco,  Frhniaiij  11,  IStiii. 

(Ienehal:  I  inclose  herewitii  Major  Williamson's  report  t(»  nu' of 
(.)ctobi  r  7.  ISlil.  with  its  iuclosui'es:  lUi.oadier  ( leneral  Alvoid's  lettei' 
of  Septemlx-r  \'l  to  (;a]»tain  Tucker,  and  the  hitter's  rcjtort  of  ()(;tol)er 
17.  Ift(i4. 

These  papers  relate  to  sites  for  foi'tilications  cm  the  waters  of  W'ash- 
inj^ton  Territ(uy  openiu"'  rnto  the  Straits  of  Juan  de  Fiica. 

At  pr«'sent  the  only  reservati<mJ<  for  sites  tor  fortilications  are  such  as 
would  iu'ote(.*t  the  entrance  to  Puget  Sound  (.see  Coast  Survey  or  iJiiiish 


I'OUTIFICATIONS    Ll'UN    i'LliKT    .SOL'Xl". 


Adiiiii'illty  .Siii'vi'y  Mil]))  at  Point  Deli. .iicc  and  the  opposite  slioieat  (ii.tr 
Ilai'boi'. 

I'oiiit  Delia  net'  is  ;i  pidMiontoiy  ol  clay  Jut  tin  j;' out  into  salt-water,  uitli- 
out  any  fresh  water  oil  if,  and  iVoiii  its  I'oiination  jxohably  none  to  be 
had.  'J'lie  ohji-et  of  my  instiiie.tions  to  (Icnerai  Als'oid  was  to  see  how 
near  the  first  fresh-water  was  to  l>e  I'ound.  I  su^^est  that  the  reserve 
be  cNteiidi'd  to  inclose  it. 

NVorl<s  at  i'oint  Delianee,  wlii'-ii  1  tiiin]<  sjiould  Ite  ci)nnnenerd  as  soon 
as  possible,  will  only  ]iroteet  I'njiet  Sound  and  will  leave  the  larjuc  dis- 
trict watered  by  ,\(l(iiiralty  inlet.  Mood's  Ciinal,  ro-'-'^sion  Sonml,  ami 
other  inland  waters  joining- them  cMitirely  delensidess.  1  ha\e  therel'ore 
<-aiis»'d  .Major  Williamson  to  mal<e  a  iiasly  icconnaissanee  of  the  i:<'ad.s 
at  .\dmiralty  Inlet  and  of  the  i)assajj;('  called  Deception  Tass,  in  order 
1  hat  nulitary  resei\  at  ions  mi.uht  be  made  at  Tiiesc  places  whilst  the  land 
still  belon;;s  to  t)ie  L'liiled  States. 

If  you  concur  the  sid>jeet  may  Ite  further  acted  tipiui  :'.nd  these  points 
.surveyed,  and  reservations  tbrmally  made  by  the  I'resident. 

hi  the  way  of  works,  1  would  oidy  recommend  at  jtresent  those  for 
Toiid  Deliance,  which  are  ueetled,  thai  we  may  have  a  safe  plac»'  for  our 
vessels  in  tlmse  waters  to  reti'eat  to,  ami  !  iidnk  imaiediate  measures 
should  be  taken  with  lespect  to  this  ]»lace. 

1  ha\e  the  Iumku'  to  be,  vej'v  iesp»  ct'ally.  your  nu)st  obedient  servant. 


Mn, 


lU\IN    .McDoAVl'.I-L 

itinr-dcitciii!,  ComnKouliiifj  liejxirliiunf. 


]>riy.  (ien.   l:.  Di;l.vi-k:li), 


i'n) 


).s  <> 


Ell  If  in 


n  i-<. 


r 


r(»i;  I'  Am;i:i.os.  Wash.,  Ocinl, 


H'l     I 


l.SGi. 


C<>l-<;NKr.:  1  have  the  honor  to  report  that  in  obedience  to  the  in- 
stru(!tions  of  the  (leiieral  eonimandin«i' the  Department  of  the  I'ai-ilic.  1 
handed  to  Di'.  (lunn.  ( 'oliector  of  ( "ustoms  at  this  place,  the  open  letter 
intrusted  to  me  by  '  im,  the  jturport  of  which  was  a  recpiest  that  i 
should  be  allowed  to  make,  by  means  of  the  ri'veuue  (Mitter  Sliiibrifh\  a 
reconnaissance  of  certain  jioiiits  to  be  seU'cti'd  as  reservations  for  ndli- 
lary  purposes.  '!'1h'  ('ollectcu'  expressed  his  uralilication  at  l)ein,i;"  able 
to  Jbrward  the  \  lews  oi  t  he  ^ '(unma'idinu  ( iciu-ral  in  a  matter  of  interest 
to  the  public  sei\ice.  a, id  y«'st<'rday  1  ictnrned  trom  a  successful  recoil- 
naissaui-e  of  th.'  points  in  (piestion. 

From  a  eoi:versati»ui  with  tlie  (leneial.  1  understocal  him  to  say  lie 
wi;.iied  me  to  examine  the  two  points,  called  Point  Wilson  and  Adiui- 
r.ilty  Head,  which  are  at  the  eiitiance  of  Admiralty  Inlet,  and  also 
De<'eptiou  Pass;  and  haviii;:  made  there  a  selection  of  suitable  locations 
for  batterivs  to  » ommand  the  inlet  ami  puss,  to  obtain  from  the  Siir- 
\  i'yor-(ieneial  of  'he  'I'erritor;  certilied  copii-s  ot  iik'  maps  <»f  the  lands 
ill  the  vic'iiity  of  the  points  selected,  Miat  the  (Jeneral  iiiimht  d«'ei<le  niHin 
what  j'oints  shall  \n>  reserved  for  mditaiy  purposes,  rnfoitunately. 
just  as  tlui  Sliuhiirl:  havin;;  leiui  iied  from  other  duties  of  moie  imme- 
diate in.'poitaiiee,  became  available  lor  this  purpose,  orders  were  re- 
ceived by  the  Collector  to  send  her  to  San  I'l aiicisco,  and  althouj^h  he 
allowed  her  to  be  ustd  on  this  leccMiiiaissance  alter  the  (Uiler  wa.s  re- 
ceived, lu^  did  not  fi-el  Justiti«'<l  in  detaininj;  her  lonj^  enough  for  me  to 
visit  the  Sur\'eyort  icnerai  at  Olympia. 

I  now  prticeed  to  ;^i\('  .vou  the  iiddrmation  1  collected  ctuicernin;:;'  the 
points  selecied.     I  must,  however,  premise  by  saying  that  during  the 


rORTllJC'ATlnNs    I  I'oX    ITiiKT    SOl'ND. 


47 


r()ll\'('is;itinii  vcCt'l'l'cd  'to  with  (lie  ( JciiriMl,  lie  cxiiiiiilicil  witli  iiic  tin' 
t:liuri '»t' .Vdiiiinilty  Inlt't,  ;iii»l  1  iiiii  iiikU'I' tlu' iiniiri'ssion  In- ei  ro.n'oiisly 
I'oiicla 'cd  that  the  distiinet' between  Point  Wilson  and  Adiuiralfy  Head 
was  (>  1.  iles.  lM'(»in  a  cai'el'ul  examination  ol'  the  (Joast  Savvey  ciiart. 
scale  v,^,,'  ,,,,  (which  does  not  materially  diilci'  llo:n  the  I'ln.ulish  chart), 
tlie  disrancc  is  found  to  l>e  .'5;^  I'hiulish  miles,  or  sii,inhtly  less  than  .'J 
iKintica!  miles. 

(li  Pu'iif  \\'ils<'ii. — This  is  111  the  \v;  stern  >ide  of  the  enli  anee  In  Ad- 
iniralry  Inlet,  aad  -  miles  liom  the  setlleci  jiorlion  of  the  town  ol'  I'oir 
Towns. ■tiii.  At  thai  place  1  sawi'iipt.  |].  S.  l''o,\  ier.  who  claiais  tiie 
<;rouiiii  ill  till'  vieiinty  of  the  point,  and  from  him  1  o!)tain"d  n  traced 
copy  III'  ,1  portion  of  the  laml-survey  imi]),  which  I  im-lose.  On  thi-;  I 
hav(;  placed  a  dotted  liiu'  to  indicate  the  hoiuidaiy  (d  Captain  Fowler's 
claim.  On  exannnin.:^'  his  ground.  I  /iml  that  nearly  im' hail'  is  a  low 
sand  spit,  from  0  to  j'J  feet  above  lii;;ii  water,  and  covered  with  biir^li 
and  small  trees,  except  at  the  c.xtreme  point,  which  is  bare,  and  c(tm- 
posod  principally  of  ,ma\('I.  Mi'.  Fowler  has  lived  lifteen  ycarti  in  this 
vicinity,  dni'ini;  which  time,  he  says,  the  spit  has  not  been  chauLicd  li\' 
the  action  of  water  or  drittinj:;'  saml  It  would  be  natural  to  siijipose 
if"  woidd  be  acted  upon  in  the  same  mannei'  by  the  forces  which  cai:sed 
J)un.ueness  si»it  t<»  increase  KM)  I'cct   in  the  la>t  six  yeai's. 

The  !(»w  land  at  I'oint  Wilson  is  terndnated  liy  a  ]trccipitoiis  bluff, 
the  iM>>ition  of  which  corresponds  on  the  map  nea'ly  with  the  red  north 
and  south  half  section  line  llironuh  the  middle  of  .\Ir.  J-'(»wler\s  claim. 
This  blutf  rises  to  some  b")0  feet  in  the  hi;4liesi  part,  j^iadnally  decreas- 
inji"  towards  the  south  in  a  mile  to  one-third  that  hci.nht.  On  tin*  blutf 
the  laml  is  timliercd  with  lir,  s|irin'e,  I'cdar.  et(  ..  ami,  accorilinu  to  .Mr. 
I'owlci',  compaialively  level  antl  \ery  lich.  .Inst  south  of  his  claim,  on 
the  low  ;;roniid,  is  a  deserted  Imuse  ami  a  well,  ami  if  is  snp]iosed  j^ood 
water '-an  be  fomid  anywhere  on  the  spit  by  di;^.L'inL:'.  i'lie  land  west 
of  Mr.  Fow  h-rs  is  co\  ercd  l»y  a  "domition  (daim  ""  of  .Mor;:an  A:  'J'ibbals. 
and  the  south  the  claimant's  nanu^  is  !'.  W.  lN'tej.';rew.  Mr.  l''ow|i'r"> 
claim,  aeeordiiijn'  to  the  map.  is  al)out  .'SOS  acres,  a  little  im)re  than  halt' 
of  widen  is  on  the  blnlf.  He  >ays  he  will  sell  i*-  tr,  the  (loNcrument  for 
■•?1,(M»<»  in  ii;(»ld.  ami  he  values  'he  low  portion  ai  a  hii^her  price  than 
that  above.  I'oint  \\'ils(U!  is.  in  character,  ipiite  sindlar  to  Point  Adams 
at  the  month  ol' t!ie  ("olnmliia.  I  am  told  tli"  Coast  Survey  has  i)ub- 
iislu'd  a  detailed  map  oi  Port  'I'ov  nsend  and  this  jioiut  on  a  much  laru'ev 
seale  ihan  the  om-  I  ha\e  seen  ami  referred  to  in  this  I'ejioit. 

(L*)  Ailmiynit}/  llviul. —  1  have  m)t  b»eii  able  to  se(>  a  map  of  this 
place  on  a  la.'jic  scale.  On  it  the  (loveriiim'nt  has  reserved  4  acres 
i'or  a  li;;lit  liouse.  which  is  located  on  a  bluff  .'lo  pae«>s  from  its  |>re- 
cipitons  ed}ie,  the  blulf  tiie,  ■•  beiii;--  t'rom  •'.;»  to  7i>  feet  hi;;h.  The  best 
place  I'or  a  battery  is  ou  tin'  liyht  house  reservation  ami  to  the  north 
of  It.  FmU-r  the  l»li:lf  is  a  small  sand  sjjir,  but  too  small  It)  l»e  of 
any  military  \alue.  The  resei\e  was  purchased  some  yea'  •  a^o  from 
Mr.  .1.  C.  Kello,:.;;:.    who  owned    '.VIO  acres   of  land,  and    who  now  owns 


Hie   unsohl   ]»ortioii. 


The  r 


cservalioii  and  a  space  '.iliout  :  .'.  n'c  as  lai';:e 


in  tlie  icar  is  cleared,  the  rt  mainder  beinji  limbered  as  in  the  hi;;h 
yidiind  al  I'oint  Wilson.  Water  for  the  li;.;lit  house  is  collected  in  a 
cislcrn  fiom  the  roof.  The  keejicr  was  absent  when  I  visited  it,  and  I 
coidd  uain  little  iiifminaiion  about  this  point  except  from  iiersoned  iii- 
si»ectioii.  This  and  Point  Wilson  are  salient  i>oints,  and  batteries  at 
each  point  would  command  a  lar^e  lauL^c  of  tir«'.  The  land  about  the 
li;.;iit  house  i.s  very  rich.  Tlie  shores  on  both  sides  «)f  the  inlet  aio  sandy, 
but  from  it  the  w  ateideepens  \eiy  rapiilly.  and  between  the  two  points 
there  are  no  intirmediate  sho;  is  or  islands. 


48 


FORTIFICATIONS    L'POX    PCGKT    SOUXI.). 


(.'»)  Ihccjituni  i'aftn — Tliis  is  ;i  itMiiiu'kabU'  passa^ic  soparatiii,^"  Wliid- 
Ix-y  Isla?i(l  from  Fidaliifo  Island.  It  is  rciiuirkable  on  accoiinr  of  it.s 
small  width,  deep  water,  and  hold  sliores.  The  Coast  .Survey  map.  scale 
•.ott'mttih  (""  ^vhiell  tjiis  ])ass  is  represented  with  the  remark  that  that 
p(»rti(Mi  was  (rojtied  from  the  ehavt  of  Captain  Kellett,  li.  X.),  ,i;ives.  not- 
wit  list  ami  in.u'  tlie  smafi  scale,  a  nood  idea  of  it,  t lion  ^-h  some  inaccnracies 
have  crept  in.  There  are  three  i.slands  in  the  pass  within  a  half  mile 
of  each  other.  Uesides  (»ne  called  Deception  Island,  (df  the  entrance. 
Two  (d' those  in  the  pass  are  represented  on  the  map  as  promontories, 
and  the  third,  which  is  tiie  easternmost  one,  and  opposite  the  entrance 
rocpiite  a  larue  bav,  is  not  leprcsented  at  all,  tlionjih  the  bay  is  well 
show.i.  I  think  this  third  island  is  represented  on  the  IOii>;lish  chart. 
These  islands  are  important,  as  they  are  low,  from  L'O  to  oO  ieet  in  heig'ht. 
While  the  shores  on  either  side  rise  to  the  heijiiit  of  IVom  loO  to  LMH)  t'eet. 
tin  the  north  side  the  basaltic  roctks  rise  nearly  vertically  to  that  ;4reut 
heiiiht.  On  the  south  side,  opposite  the  islands,  is  an  isolated  circular 
hill  abont  a  half  mile  in  diameter,  which  is  surronn<led  on  three  sides 
liy  the  waters  of  the  pass  and  bay.  In  tin'  half  ndle  between  the  br.se 
of  this  hill  and  the  tr>traits  of  Ilcsario  the  ground  i.s  low  and  either  saudy 
or  covered  with  fra;.i'ments  of  biisaiTi(;  rock.  It  is  covered,  thonji'h  not 
<lensely,  with  timber,  the  small  size  of  which  shows  the  ]»overty  of  the 
soil.  Tliis  low  tii-onnd  is  the  only  available  part  of  the  pass  for  a  post 
A  lake  of  .j^ood  fresh-water,  rei)resented  on  tlu^  map,  is  witliir  KMi 
jtaces  of  the  salt-water  of  the  straits  and  the  entrance  to  the  i)ass.  It 
is  possible  that  further  from  the  shore,  on  the  eastern  shore  of  the  lake, 
some  jiood  land  mi.nlit  be  found.  For  a  biittery  the  south  end  of  that 
island,  which  (HI  the  map  is  represented  as  a  promontory  connected 
with  the  noithern  shore  of  tin;  ])ass,  atfords  by  far  the  most  command- 
in;.':  i)osi|ion  and  j;reater  ran,i;('  of  lire.  I'rom  there  to  the  opposite  shoi'e 
is.  on  a  i'oii;;h  estimate,  L'dO  yards.  From  the  north  end  of  that  island 
to  the  opposite  shore  is  only  about  from  ;J()  to -10  yards, and  as  the  water 
inns  throii;^'h  like  a  millrace  and  appears  of  no  f;reat  depth,  it  is  not 
passable  but  by  small  l)oats.  It  would  be  necessary  to  occu]»y  the 
lii^^h  rocky  shores  to  the  north  and  south,  as  one  is  within  easy  ritle 
ran^e  of  the  (>tlier.  1  would  recommend,  therefore,  that  the  south  side  of 
the  pass,  froiii  the  stiaits  around  to  the  bay  and  as  far  to  south  as  would 
secure  a  mile  scpnire,  be  reserved,  and  that  a  correspond inj;'  ])ortioii  on 
the  north  bank,  with  the  islands,  be  also  reserved.  The  land  is  ol"  little 
\  able,  and  not  claimed.  The  whole  of  Whidbey  Island  has  been  sur- 
veyed, but  Fidal<;()  Island  has  not  been,  as  far  as  I  can  learn. 

I  regret  that  the  older  to  send  the  Sliiihfirk  to  Han  I-'rancisio,  has  ])ie- 
veiited  my  .yoiii;;  to  Olympia  and  obtainin^i' (jojiies  of  the  map  td'  this 
pa.ss,  ami  (d  Admiralty  Head  and  Wilson's  Point.  L'nder  the  circum- 
stances, I  should  have  taken  the  ies|)()nsibility  <d"  ;L:(>in^-  there  in  the 
IJIiz<(  Anderson  had  it  md  been  that,  as  my  lij>lit  house  duties  will  keep 
me  in  this  vicinity  for  at  least  a  nioi'Mi  longer,  there  will  be;  time  i'or  me 
to  learn  your  wishes  in  theiiatter.  'I'liese  duties,  thou.uli  preventing" 
me  Irom  iidurnin^i  to  San  l''rancisco,  would  not  prevent  my  doiii.u  .w.y 
duty  yon  may  wish  perlbrmed  in  this  vicinity. 

1  inclose,  liesides  tlu>  Land  Survey  map  of  I'oint  \Vilsoii.  the  Coast 
Survey  map  to  wiiich  I  have  icleire«i  in  tiiis  report. 


1, 


espcclfiilly  s 


iibmitt 


ed 


Col.  K.  C.  Dia.M, 

.•l,s'.s'/.  .1^/7.  (irii'l.  Dqtt.  of  the  I'ariji- 


II.  S.  Wilma:^!sox, 
M((joi\  ('.  S.  F.iuj'mcvrs, 


FORTJriCATIOXS    IPUX    PIGET    .SOl'M). 


OFrin:  Uoaiid  of  KN(iiNFER8, 

Sua  Fr((nci.sco,  Fihntari/  (J,  ISOT. 

CiEMEKAL  :  In  acc;oi (lance  with  a  resolution  of  the  Doard  of  l-^njuineers 
for  the  I'aciHe  Coast  adopted  .Tanuary  lil,  ISOT,  I  transmit  herewith  a 
copy  of  a  letter  from  Jirevet  Lieutenant-Colonel  Williamson  with  refer- 
ence to  the  immediate  ])urchase  of  certain  points  in  I'uget  Sound,  and 
recommend  the  same  to  your  favorabU'  consideration. 

If  the  Dejiartment  concur  witii  the  views  of  Colonel  Williamson  and 
the  l>oard  on  this  sul.'Ject,  it  will  be  better  tiiat  some  one  mend»erof  the 
IJoard  or  some  other  person  be  authorized  to  make  the  conditional  ))ur- 
chases  proposed  (subject  of  course  to  tlie  ai)provalof  the  Department), 
because  if  this  Loard  should  move  in  a  matter  of  this  Idnd  land  specu- 
lators will  move  simultaneously. 

\'ery  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

1>.    S.   Al.KXANDKK, 

r>r(.  Bri().  (ifn.,  r.  S.  A., 
Presiileiit  Hun  id  of  En<ilneirs^  Vacijic  Coant. 

Uvt.  Maj.  Gen.  A.  A.  IlrMi'iiKEVj^, 

Cftie/  of  iJnfjinrcrs,  ['.  .V.  .4. 


vnter 
not 
>v  the 

ritle 
ide  of 
,()uld 
on  on 

litth' 
u  sur- 


San  Fka>ti.sco,  Cal.,  January  17,  ISOT. 

General:  I  respectfully  submit  to  the  Hoard  of  I'n^ineers  the  fol- 
lowing facts  and  recommendations: 

The  two  i)oints  at  the  entrance  to  Admiralty  Inlet  are  Point  Wilson 
on  the  west  and  A<lmiralty  Head  on  the  east,  the  distance  betweef  tJMMu 
l>ein«j  3^  English  miles,  or  less  than  3  nautical  miles,  according  to  the 
Coast  Survey  chart,  the  intermediate  water  being  <leep. 

At  no  part  of  the  inlet  north  of  the  Narrows  is  it  narrower,  according 
to  the  same  chart,  though  there  is  a  i)lace  to  the  south  of  the  «Mitrance 
to  the  inlet  where  the  water  is  con»parati\ely  shallow,  at  whidi  place 
General  Totten  suggested  a  construction  nnglit  be  nuide  in  mid  chan- 
nel— a  thing  which  could  not  be  done  at  the  entratice  witl-  "if  cjioimious 
exi)ense,  even  if  considered  practicable. 

The  inner  position  nu;;  "ventually  be  oecitled  by  the  l>o,,  ,  ..  ue  the 
more  important  in  any  plan  for  the  defense  of  those  waters,  but  if  r.iii 
hardly  be  possil)le  to  reje<;t  entirely  the  two  or  three  i)oints  at  or  near 
the  entrance,  and  hence  I  consider  that  these  points  must  eventually 
be  in  the  possession  of  the  United  States. 

Land  at  Point  Wilson,  amounting  to  ilOS  acres,  including  the  jjroper 
site  for  a  work,  is  owned  by  Mr.  V..  S.  I'owler,  of  Port  Townseiid.  who 
oti'ered,  in  a  jjcrsonal  interview  with  me  in  October,  18(51,  to  sell  his 
claim  to  the  Government  for  81, <»()(>  in  gold,  if  to  be  soon  occupied  by 
the  United  States,  the  agreement  to  be  ('onsidcred  binding  for  one  yeiir 
from  that  dale. 

At  Admiralty  Head  is  a  light-house  reservation  of  40  acies,  but  for 
military  jmrposes  the  land  adjoining  it  on  the  north  will  be  rtMjuin'd. 
The  owner  of  that  land  is  .1.  (,'.  Kellogg. 

I  ccmsider  that  these  two  pieces  of  h»nd  (ami  espi cially  Point  W^il- 
son)  should  be  purchased  foi  the  Government,  and  I  also  consider  it 
exceedingly  jtrobable  that  if  the  jturchases  ar«'  not  m.ide  befoic  tlM^ 
Hoard  visit  the  locality  the  result  will  be  tiiat  the  price  to  be  paid  will 
be  greatly  enhanced. 

S.  Kv.  lOo 1 


50 


rORTIFICATlONS    II'ON'    ITGET    80UM). 


.1  tlit'icCoic  iccoiimiciKl  that  ii,>i)li(iiti(Mi  be  iiiiulc  to  the  (Jliief  of  Kii- 
j;iMc('is  Jor  itullHH ity  to  lie  vestid  in  tlu'  JJomkI  toiinike  i-onditioiial  pnr- 
cliiiM'  of  llicM'  i)iiv;itt'  l:>ii<ls.  and  siu-h  otln'is  of  tlic  i)ro])os('d  lesorva- 
tioiis  as  ni.iy  lie  loniid  to  lie  so.  Mihjfct  to  (•ouliriiiation  hy  tlio  i)r<)iit'r 
autlioiity  ill  AVasliinj^ton,  and  tliat  tlit'Doard  laki'  st<']»s  to  t'litcr  into 
(joii(s])()ii(kn(('  witli  tin*  owners  of  said  lands  for  that  ])nri>ose. 

J  liaxe  till'  li(>noi'  to  be,  veiy  ies]i(.(;tlully,  yonr  obedient  servant, 

U.   S.    \\  ILL1A3I.SON, 

Major  of'  Eiifiiuecrs, 
Jilt.  Lieut.  Col.,  I  .  >v.  A. 

General  J».  S.  Al]A'AM)KK, 

Chairman  of  lioonl  of  Eu(jiiHirx  for  Vactjic  Coaaf. 


STEILACOOM    r.ARRAC'KS,    WASII..   AviJVst  lid,  185,'?. 

Siu  :  *  *  *  The  situation  of  I'enn's  Cove  otleis  advantaf;es  that 
can  not  b«'  found  at  eitlier  of  tlie  others.  It  is  perfectly  i>rotected  from 
the  ])revailiny'  winds,  the  nortli  and  southeast.  The  l.trj^est  ehis.s  ves- 
sels can  lie  at  anchor  but  a  few  lods  from  shore,  and  it  is  much  nearer 
Admiralty  Inlet  than  eitlier  of  the  others,  the  island  at  this  point  bein«>- 
about  lA  miles  wide,  r'nrthermore,  it  is  directly  on  (he  line  of  travel. 
With  all  these  considerations  before  me,  I  did  not  liesitate  to  tix  uj)on 
renn's  (^ove  as  the  most  desiiable  i»oint  for  a  reservation.  Having  be- 
come satisfied  that  this  was  not  only  the  ])roper,  but  almost  tl»e  only, 
l»oint  at  which  a  military  reservecould  be  establislied,  I  then  endeavored 
to  ascertain  wlicre  I  could  best  run  the  lines  of  the  reserve  in  ord  r  to 
lultill  the  (conditions  laid  down  in  your  instructions,  and  at  the  same  time 
disturb  as  few  claimants  as  ])ossibIe.  I  learned  that  Dr.  Lansdale  was 
the  oldest  settler  on  the  cove,  and  that  all  otlier  claimants  would  l)e 
jioverned  by  the  manner  in  which  he  had  taken  his  claim.  1  accord- 
iiijily  commenced  at  the  stake  which  he  pointed  out  as  the  most  eastern 
l)oint  of  his  claim  on  the  cove,  and  ran  from  it  north  I  mile,  Iroiii  thence 
east  I  mile,  and  from  thence  south  to  the  cove,  this  last  line  beino-  47 
chains.  These  lines  iiiclnded  within  their  limits  a  little  nioie  than  oOO 
acies  of  land,  about  "JO  of  which  is  wooded,  the  remainder  tine  prairie. 
It  has  a  water  trout  of  ^\)  chains.  On  tlie  icserve  there  is  one  tine 
si)rin<i',  snllicieiit  to  water  any  number  ot  animals.  It  furnishes  any 
number  of  line  ;iardeii  spots.  Several  »tl  the  old  jiotsito  .mioiiiids  of  the 
Skojiit  Indians  are  upon  ir,  a;;:l  they  are  proverbial  for  ehoosiii};'  the 
most  (b'sirable  spots  lor  plaiitiui:. 

The  •iroiind  olfers  almost  every  variety  ot'  site  thai  the  fancy  could 
devise  for  locatinji' the  biiildinjis  of  a  ]»ost.  No  other  point  on  the  Soninl, 
that  I  am  aware  of,  caneipial  it  in  this  respect.  Tlii-.  land  is  nowoccu- 
l>ied  and  claimed  Ity  .Messrs  Ilolbrook,  Sliov*'.  Smith,  Howe,  and  Allen, 
tiie  two  last  are  livinji"  on  the  same  claim,  and  eai;h  believes ///\  thr 
)»iior  ri;.;lit.  All  hav«'  made  upon  their  respective  claims  slight  improve- 
ments, but  so  slif^ht.  that  I  «lo  not  believe  in  the  a.iiiirc'^ale  they  wonld 
exceed  ><1,LM)();  an  e.\ceedin«;ly  small  sum  wlie  i  compai'cd  with  the  nu- 
merous advanta^ics  that  this  spot  olfers  as  a  military  site,  lly  making  a 
cliai!;ie  in  the  1:01th  and  east  lines  of  the  reser>'e  the  wlioU;  (itd  acies 
allowed  by  ('on;iress  would  be  taken  in.  As  they  jow  run,  about  140  are 
lost. 

This  chaiijic  would  include  a  larjicr  amount  of  tin. ber  land,  aii'i  would, 
1  believe,  be  of  advantage  to  the  reserve.    Tlii.s  cl  anye  would  include 


'I! 
<  1  i  \'  i  > 
li.'i  \  •' 

A'.IIH 

III  (III 

;iiii'lii 

■J'li 

I'Xt'l'C 

.'iiiil  t 

tills    ( 

"it  III 

It 

•'ILCilil! 
Illillll 


FORTIFICATIONS    ITOX    Pl'GET    sorXD. 


51 


vi  j)oition  of  the  claim  now  liold  by  a  Mr.  llastic  Noiit'  of  tlio  j) 
living  oil  this  land  have  heiil  't  for  a  lon;ier  pt'iiod  than  sovc 
months,  and  some  of  them  have  located  wilhin  the  last  nine.  Tin 
as  run  are  well  nnirked  by  the  blazin;i'  of  trees  and  i»!antin<;'  s 
[[ad  time  i)ermitted,  [  shonld,  after  iiinidnj;  the  ))res(Mit  lines,  | 
ma<le  the  chan<;'e  above-mentioned,  bnt  having' exhausted  my  ten 
sujjidy  of  ])rovisions,  1  was  compelled  to  return  to  this  post, 
llespectlully  subndtted. 

I)i;  L.  I'l(IVI)  Joxks. 
Fir.st  Lirufentinf,  Fonrth  hij'((n 
Maj.  C.  IT.  Laiinei), 

Commandi)!!/  ISteUacoom  liarracls. 


arties 
nteeii 
'  lines 
takes, 
have  J 
(lavs' 


tr^. 


Xkw  Youic,  Mitnh  1.",  LSOl). 

General:  The  resolution  of  the  Senate  of  the  [Jnited  States  direct- 
ing the  Secretary  of  War  "  to  communicate  any  information  existin<r  in 
his  Department  relating  to  the  military  importance  of  the  Island  of  San 
Juan,  in  VVashington  Territory,"  having  been  referred  to  the  IJoard  of 
Kngineers  I'or  I'ortifications  for  rei)ort,  that  JJoard,  after  attentive  con- 
.sideratioii  of  the  subject,  reports  its  views  as  follows: 

J^>eside8  accurate  charts  and  volumim)ns  documentary  information,  the 
Board  has  had  the  advairtage  of  the  results  of  the  jx-rsonal  examina- 
tion of  the  locality  iti  (pu^stion  l)y  the  late  Chief  Engineer  of  the  United 
States,  (Jeneral  J.  G.  Totten. 

That  eminent  and  experienced  oJlicer  was  sent  by  the  AN'ar  Depart- 
ment to  the  l'a(;ilic  coast  in  18")!)  tor  the  exjuess  jturpose  of  making  a 
personal  examination  to  .select  sites  for  military  or  na\al  occupation  and 
to  indi(;ate  theext«'nr   Mid  character  of  fortitieations  reipiired. 

Fre>n  his  rei»ort  we  extract  the  following  )»aragraphs: 

(iiviit  liiitaiii,  liy  Dwiiiii^  tlic  whdlc  of  N'micoiivci's  IsImiuI.  el' wliicli  tlir  sunthcru 
shiirn  liDiiiiils  till'  StlJlits  ot  I'lICil  iill  tllt'  liortll.  liossi-sscs.  jll^it  wjtllill  its  sniitliilli  cx- 
tiriiiity,  the  inliiiiriilili'  iii;iii-iir-\viir  liiirbor  dI"  l^M|iiiiiiaiili.  .mil  sln'  now  (icrii]>ics  it  .-is 
a  naval  station,  liaviii;;  iufsciit  tln-ri'  at  tln>  lime  ol'  my  visit  oin'  lim'-of-liatt  Ic  slii|) 
.and  lonr  warstcanicis.  Tliis  liar')or  lias,  in  Ji  liit;lHli'i;ri'i',  I'vci'v  intii  iiiil  <>)n\  cnii'nci', 
t'acilii..'  of  in;;v('ss  ;in(i  i';;;rfss  at  ail  times,  and  iicrfnt  dclensililcness  at  a  modfiatu  cost 
liy  fortitieations.  slionid  sneli  defenst;  he  eonsideicd  neeessaiy  at  any  fntiii'e  time. 

My  tiist  remark  on  these,  eirciimsl.'iiH'es  is  that,  |)ossessiny;  lvsi|niniaiilt  llarlior,  thu 
<i\viM'islii](  of  the  San  .Jiian  Arel,ii)elaH;<',  or  of  that  islanti  alone,  is  not  necessary  to 
<»reat  Jiritain  for  lier  own  oeeii])ation  either  foi'  defensive  or  olfensive  pniposes,  he- 
"."inse,  while  oeeiipyinji  I'si|uimaiiit  llarlior.  and  enjoyinj;  naval  snperiority.  she  will 
command  eomidetely,  so  far  as  hiiiii  ]iosit  ion  ean  enalde  her.  t  he  .St  laits  of  I'nea,  .'ind 
II  other  waters  within  ('ape   I'lattery,  inelndin;;   I'ni;i't    .•^niind.  .\dmiialt\    Inh't  and 


all  the  channels  and  pass.-iLies  of  the  San  .luan  Arehip 


Ail  oil  I'  euinnii'ire  and 


•omniiinicat  ions  therein  will  he  inter;    pted  or  exjiosed  lnilie;;i'i'    "esl  ha/aid>. 
'I'his  leads  Iiie   to  remark,  in   the  second   place,  that    hy   the  eslahlisliiin'lil    oi"    tilt) 


<livisioii  line  helween  the  two  countries  in  the  Straits  ot'  II; 


ro  we  s.i 


;ill.  I 


n  s(nne  sort, 


h.ive  com|ieiisation  for  the  advantajies  (Jreat  llritaiii  enjoys  hy  owniii;;  the  whole  of 
A'aneoiiver's  Island  and  maintainiii;;'  a  ]iredomiiiaiit  naval  force  at  its  soiithcin  e\- 
Ift'inity.  since  it  will  then  lie  in  mir  power  to  react  with  more  or  less  elfi el,  aceordiii;j 
to  our  eiicrey  and  enterprise,  upon  these  interior  waters,  hy  •o'cmely  fori  it'yiii;;  an 
ancliora;;e  at  »/»  ■Imni  hliiiid.  or  noine  ullur  jilurc  r/usc  hjidh  I'lr  Hunt  I'lnniiiil. 


'I'll 


le  preselici',  llin 


ler  th 


itdter  of  sindi  fori  icatioiis,  of  fast   armed  steanii'is  won 


Id 


ext'rei:eaii  impoitant  inlliieiice  upon  the  comniiinieat ion  lietwi-eii  the  .straits  of  Fiiea 

and  th  •  (iiilf  of  <ieor;;ia,  I'raser  IJivcr,  etc.  ;  would  at   all   times  tlircalen  and  harass 

innieal  ion,  and  eoinnletelv  eoininand  it  whenever  it  should  happen   to   lie 


tl 


lis  eoi.n 


without  the  actual  presence  of  a  stron;^  coiuoy. 

It  is  easy  to  see  that  no  such  etfeets  could  lie  looked  foi  with  the  iiiiN'al  niasterv 
.'i;;ainNt  us,  if  our  nearest  fortitied  )M)8iti<in  were  some  4e  or  .Ml  miles  distant  from  tln> 
main  channel,  wlii(di  will  he  the  case  if  tlui  liosario  8trait  is  to  liccoine  the  homidarv. 


62 


FOKTiriCATIONS    Il'OX    ruriKT    .SOl.'ND. 


My  (;(>n('liisi()iis,  IVoin  llicsc  jiihI  hiicIi  liki;  consiilciiitioiis,  art^  tliat  tlic  jifisscssiou  cil" 
flif.  Sail  Jnaii  j^ioiii)  of  islaiHls  is  HtiatcKiciilly  nf  lii<;li  iii<iM)rtaiicc  to  us;  that  witli- 
unt  this  jios.scssion  thcic  can  In;  no  oscapc  or  rclicl'  I'roiii  tlir  ])aral\sis  tliat  adviT.so 
naval  jircdoniinancc  will  inijioHc  on  all  our  coaist.s  anil  waters  insidt- of  (,'aiic  Flattery; 
and  that,  so  far  as  considerat  ions  of  a  dill'i'ient  nalnri',  admit  or  can  In-  niaterially 
aided  l>j  such  inllnenc<'s,  this  iniiiortaiic(!  can  hardly  have  too  much  wei;j;lit  j^iscii 
to  it. 

Ill  Wwso.  lew  ])ai'a<iriii>lis  we  see  iiof  only  why,  in  si  militaiy  point  of 
vii'w,  the  "  Ilitio  Channel"  shonld  he  the  l)oiiii(hiiy  and  the  istrategie  ini- 
lioitanceof  the  ISan  .Juan  gronp  of  islands,  bnt  we  have  es|)eeially  pointed 
luit  the  ])aiticnlar  "  military  intpoitanee"'  of  the  larjiest  ineinber  of  that 
<?rou[>,  and  the  one  most  "elose  upon  the  Haro  Channel,''  vi/,  ISan  Juan 
Island. 

Conciiriinf;-  fully  in  these  views,  tiinl  believino-  that  they  lemain  at 
the  present  moment,  as  when  they  were  yiven,  the  best  exposition  that 
fiin  be  given  of  tin;  military  importanee  of  !San  .Inan  Island  in  all  it.s 
relations,  the  J>oard  adopts  them  its  its  report. 

The  paper.",  in  the  ease  are  herewith  returned. 

lJesi>ectfully  submitted. 

J.    (1.    liAHNAKD, 

Col.  anil  Brt.Moj.  Gin. 
Geo.  W,  CiLLUM, 
t'ol.  ilnqrs.  and  llvt.  Ma}.  <len. 
Z.   B.   TOWEK, 
Lt.  Col.  EiKjrs.  anil  llvt  Maj.  Cwn. 

II.    (1.    AVllIGlIT, 

Lt.  Col.  of  IJnffs.,  Bvt  Maj.  Ocn. 
Bvt.  3Iaj.  tien.  A.  A.  IIUMiMiiiEYS, 

Chief  o/IJnfjineerN,  U.  tS.  A. 


Extract  from  inspection  report  of  General  (>.  E.  BahcocU,  A.  I>.  0.. 

•  *  «      ,  •  «  •  * 


I'UGET  SOUND. 


In  aeeordanee  with  the  recpiest  of  the  Chief  Hngineer,  (jeneral  ])ela- 
tield,  1  made  an  examination  of  a  number  ofi)oints  on  I'uget  Sound  for 
reservHtirns  for  fortifieations.  I  examined  but  from  the  water.  As  the 
country  is  thickly  j;rown  with  trees  no  Judgment  could  be  formed  of  the 
si/e  of  reservation  or  the  miture  of  the  work.  The  accompanying  small 
im>i»  will  show  the  Chief  Engineer  where  reservations  should  l)e  nuideat 
once  and  work  commenee<l.  Many  other  points  ntay,  upon  survey,  be 
necessary,  but  they  are  sill  secoiulary  to  those  nnirked  with  black  ink. 
The  moutli  of  chaniu'l  letiding  into  HikxI's  Canal  may  iilso  be  of  great 
importiince.  A  earefid  topographical  survey  of  tin;  land  ami  coast  sur- 
vey of  the  sound  should  be  nuule  as  soon  as  circumstances  will  admit. 
The  existence  of  large  co.d  betls,  valuable  timber  tields,  and  setth'Mient.s 
makes  these  works  necessary. 

HEADC,>UAUTK1JS   AlOriF.S  ok    rM'I'KI)   Statrs, 

Wasliiniiton,  J).  ('.,  Jannarif  .'5(»,  lS(i7. 
Ifespectfully  forwiirded  for  the  information  of  the  Chief  JMigiucer. 
IJy  direction  of  General  Grant. 

U.    10.    IlAlK'OCK', 

Jict.  Hrlij.  Gin.,  A.  IK  C. 


A  ^    ,^ 


rORTIl'ICATIONS    II'OX    PUOKT    SOUND. 


63 


I'lvinu-tH  from  it  report  from  (litwrol  -1.  (I.  Tolfrii,  Ch'xf  of  Eiif/iiwers^ 
(Ititnl  Mdi/  L*S.  ISiiO,  made  In  complinnee  icith  iiisfriictious  from  the  Sec- 
retari/ (f  War.  duted  Noremher  \\  \^7\\). 


7,  III  our  I'XiUiiinatioii  of  the  coast  tor  tlu*  selection  ol'iioiiits  ro(|iiir- 
iii;:' dctcnsi'  by  lortilicatioiis,  it  will  l)c  coiivciiiciit  to  hc.iiiii  at  the  north, 
raUin<:  up  liist,  and  as  a  portion  by  itself — too  remote  troin  other  de- 
i'ended  positions  to  have  thei'cwith  mutual  relations  of  aid  and  sup[)()rt. 
and  I'eqnirin^'  to  be  made  self  reliant,  so  to  speid-'. 


Tllli   COA.STS   AND   WATKIIS   Ol"   'I  III;    r.MTKl)   STATES    INSIDK    OF   CAl'E 

FLATTKIJ^. 

S,  The  i»ossession  by  a  ;^ieat  naval  power  of  the  whole  of  \'ancou- 
ver's  Island  (the  southern  portion  (»f  which  Ixtunds  the  Stiails  of  I'\M'a), 
wherein,  at  the  southern  extrennty,  theie  is  t he  man-of-war  harbor  of 
ICsrpiimauit,  haxiii^'  in  u  hi;:h  dej;ree  every  intei'ual  coiivenienee,  la- 
<-ility  of  ingress  and  e;iress  at  all  times — perl'ect  defensiiiU'uess  at  a 
moderate  cost — at  which,  with  naval  mastery,  a  command  iid,uht  be 
maintained  at  all  times  over  the  Straits  of  I'uca  and  all  \\\v  wateis 
witliiii  <'a]>e  l-'latteiy,  includinjjr,  of  (;ourse,  I'ufi'et  Sound  and  the  San 
»Iuan  ArchiiJela-;!).  This  foreij^in  ])ossession,  while  it  obscures  somewhat 
thetiuestion  of  our  defensive  jjolicy  in  that  icyion,  leaves  it  very  clear 
that  so  lon^'  as  that  mastery  is  upheld  all  comnui'ce  of  the  iuiiei-  waters 
through  these  narrow  straits  must,  in  time  of  war,  be  interru])te(l,  or 
at  least  exposed  to  the  j^reatest  ha/ards.  It  shoidd  bt^  noticed  that 
this  control  will  be  independent  of  any  (piestion  of  o('cui)ation  of  the 
San  duan  Ai'chipelaji'o. 

".».  These  circumstances,  not  now  probably  to  be  chau^ied  as  re<>ards 
("oreiji'n  i)ossession,  and  harilly  to  be  materially  altered  lor  years  as  i-e- 
.uards  naval  stren^^th,  will  admit,  nevertheh'ss,  some  alleviation,  if 
nothiuji'  more,  by  ))rovidinjj  harbtjrs  of  refu.ue  both  within  and  without 
the  ]>robable  ran;i«M)f  hostile  (U-uisers — that  is  to  say,  fortith'il  anchoi- 
a}4"cs — where  vessels  will  be  safe  from  lhedan<i;ers  likely  there  to  threaten 
them. 

JO.  The  inai>s  of  the  straits  show  that  outside  (westward)  of  Cape 
Church,  which  is  the  southern  extrennty  of  Vancouver's  Islaml,  where 
the  straits  are  but  10  nnles  wide,  and  where  we  uu^iht  expect  to  liml 
hostile  <;ruisers,  there  is  no  liarlxu-  on  our  side  within  (Jape  Flattery 
(some  (iO  miles  to  the  west)  hut  Xeeah  Harbor  (Scarboroujjfh  Harbor), 
which  is  Just  within  the  cape. 

Outside  of  Cape  Flattery  the  lu-arest  ])ort  on  om-  side  is  (Jray's  Har- 
bor, believed  to  be  dilllcult  and  dan^^crous  of  access  even  to  vessels  of 
inoderate  drau.i;ht.  It  is  lO.j  miles  IVom  the  cape;  too  far  for  w  {unl  of 
refuji'e  from  the  ]>erils  Ave  are  considering'. 

11.  The  efleet  (»f  a  defended  anchoraj;e  at  Xeeah  Harbor  would  be  to 
cover  merchant  vessels  aimin;^'  to  run  the  passa;^i' of  tlu' straits;  to 
^ive  shelter  to  such  as  nniy  be  llyiu;;"  outwards  from  pursuit;  to  jjive 
]»rotection  to  any  of  our  armed  cruisers  that  nmy  be  waiting  opportunity 
lor  (h'fensive  or  oli'ensive  action,  etc. 

11'.  The  doiut  lioard  report  jdaces  this  harbor  not  far  from  tlu^  head 
of  their  second  class.  Hut  if  it  (!au  be  made  to  sui>ply  safe  auchoraj^e 
foreven  a  few  war  >'ess(ds,  ami  the  anchora^^e  be  securely  l\)rtitie(l  at  a  rea- 
.sonable  expense,  it  should  be  transferred  into  the  tirst  cdass,  and  the 


54 


I'OKTIFICATIONS    Ul'oN    VH.KT    SOUND, 


necessary  works  be  be^Min  witlioiit  delay.  Tosettle  llie  point  definitely 
a  sjiecial  l»(»ar(l  of  enjiiiieers  should  be  Ibitliwitli  sent  to  examine  tlie 
locality  minutely,  make,  if  lu'cessary,  surxeys,  and,  ilie  icsults  beiiif^ 
faxorable,  report  at  the  earliest  «lay  j>ractical)le  their  pro.ject  and  esti- 
mate. 

It  is  Avell  here  to  state  that  the  Coast  Survey  mai»ol'  this  harbor  yives 
shallow  water  for  abcait  half  a  mile  oil"  to  thesoutiiwest  from  Waaddah 
Island,  upon  which  shoal  a  breakwater  mi;ilit  1m>  cheaply  foiriied  that, 
together  with  the  islainl  itself,  would  alfoid  a  li'a  of  a!)out  half  a  mile 
scpiare. 

*  »  •  #  •  •  • 

17.  The  extraordinary  increase  of  poi)ulation  in  a  part  of  our  I'aciliK 
jtossessioiis  may  seem  to  mak*' it  probable  that  the  shores  ot"  these 
northern  wat«rs  will  soon  till  up  with  peo])Ic.  and  that  larj^caiid  wealthy 
towns  and  numerous  establishments  of  industry  and  enteipri>e  will 
vastly  au^jinent  the  imiiortance  of  the  Territory,  but,  until  the  tendency 
of  the  sticam  of  e  mitral  ion  hi  I  her  shall  be  siron.ucr  than  now,  or  made; 
more  ])robable  by  de\ clopnients  of  new  sources  ot'  wealth,  the  pit'cedinji' 
leniarks  will  remain  ajiplicable. 

IS.  JJut,  if  we  aie  not  able  there  to  assume  naval  supremacy,  nor 
likely  soon  to  he  able,  the  ^-reatei'  is  the  necessity  for  ]trovidini;'.  in  due 
tinu',  security  aj^ainst  the  elfccts  of  this  mastery  in  hostile  hands. 

We  must  see,  therelbrc,  what  placi's  n(»w  <leniand  trom  their  value 
and  exposure  that  protection. 

1!>.  Outside  of  Cape  Church  thei'c  is  notliin;^-.  \\itliin  that  cape  we 
liiul,  lirst,  th(^  harbor  of  I'ldse  I  )uii;;('ness  ;  then  Ni'w  J)un;;('ncss  ;  then 
ISquim,  or  ^VasllinJLi•^on  Harbor;  then  P<»rr  l)isc»»very,  which  briu.ys  us 
to  the  mouth  oi' Admiralty  Inlet. 

Not  one  of  these  Inur  harbors  has  upon  it  any  establislunent  or  any 
number  of  ]K'ople  eallin<;'  for  present  protection  by  fortification. 

.l*assin,u\\  ithin  Admiralty  Inlci  there  are  I'ort  'I'owiisend,  I'ort  Ludlow, 
Port  (iand)le,  Seattle,  Steilacoom,  ()lymi)i;i,  and  some  other  places  (in- 
eluding"  a  number  of  saw-mills,  larjie  and  small)  sciattered  upon  the 
shores  and  bays  of  the  deep,  quiet,  and  beautiful  wateis  of  A(luuralty 
Inlet  and  ruj;ft  Sound. 

Souu^  of  these,  as  Port  Towusend,  Seattle,  Steilacoom.  and  Olymp'ia, 
this  last  beinji'the  seat  of  ^oxcinmeut  of  Washin.n'tou  Ti'rritory,  thouji'li 
still  numbeiiiifi"  few  persons,  seem  to  have  taken  lirm  root,  and  are 
represented  to  be  increasiuj^'  steadily,  at  a  moderate  rate.  The  mining 
re<;ions  are,  however,  so  attractive  as  to  leave  only  a  small  i»<ution  of 
the  emi^^rants  content  with  the  promise  of  this  land  of  slowci'  prolits. 

I'd.  \\  hether  the  country  upon  tlie^ic  waters,  even  excluding;  from 
(.'onsideration  the  broad  extent  of  nu»untainous  and  unaralile  land,  is  lor 
many  years  to  i)ossess  ihe  ]»(»pulation  pertainin;^  to  a  thriving;  agricul- 
ture is  somewhat  doubtful,  because  of  th.e  ;;reat  temptation  to  reserve 
it  as  a  lumber  Held,  as  which  it  is  likely  to  stand  almost  without  com- 
l)etition  Ibr  the  supj>ly  of  the  shores  of  tlie  I'aeiiic  and  Indian  Oceans, 
and  as  a  contributor  even  to  tlu;  I'^uropean  maiket. 


22.  Considered  sejiaiately,  there  is  not,  I  think,  any  such  establisli- 
nu-nt  insiile  of  Cape  {''lattery  (iiu'Iiulinj;'  now  also  the  villa-^c  of  Wat- 
mau.uh,  fln^  site  of  coal  mines  in  r.illin<iham  15ay,  on  the  main  shore, 
to  the  northward  of  Admiralty  Inh't).  Not  one  of  these  ])laces,  so  re- 
4;arded,can  claim,  on  account  of  its  importance,  to  stand  at  the  jiresent 


FoirnricATioNs  rrn\  rrtJKi'  sorxn. 


f)") 


tiini',  or  within  any  roasonaliU'  time,  as  liiuli   in    iclativc   iniportanct! 
t'vt'ii  as  in  a  second  class  of  woilcs. 

!.*."».  If,  liowcvcr,  it  l)c  f(Mintl  inacticaltlt*  to  !uiv<!  a  connnon  dcft'nso  to 
soveral  of  llicni,  tiic  jn-oposition  will  Itc  ;i  (liHiciilt  diu'.  Tliocost  of 
<l('tcnsi's  that  would  he  ont  of  proportion  to  the  vmIiic  (tf  any  of  these 
olijecls.  sin;;ly.  may  be  nioderate  as  ie;;;irds  sever. i!,  saeh  a  defensive 
pidjeet  iisiii;r  into  the  condition  ol"  ,in  important,  perhaps  an  nr;^ent. 
woik. 

if,  for  instance,  it  weii'  possiltle  to  close  the  month  of  Admiralty 
Inlet  by  fortilications.  the  great  extent  of  water  that  wonld  he  thereby 
i^tnirded  wonld  Jnstity  a  lar^e  iind  promjtt  expeiiditnre.  NVe  must, 
therefore,  look  into  the  chances  of  estal>iisliiii;;  a  dcfrime  of  |  his  nature. 

I'l.  A  fort  on  each  shore,  and  one  mi  tin*  middle  of  the  channel  at  the 
narrowest  place  near  ihe  nntnth  of  Admii'ally  Inlet,  whei-e  it  rs  nbcnit 
;'»  miles  wide,  wonjil  suj^idy  :i  pretty  ;;doil  defense  to  I  his  entrance, 
l»nt  as  the  distance  lietwcen  these  Torts  w<nild  be  still  \.\  miles,  and  as 
this  strai;4lit  (dianmd  could  be  run  in  the  ni.uht.  larj^e  forts.  ])ossc>;sin;;- 
larji'e  armanuMits  of  i1h^  hea\iest  ^iuns,  would  be  i-idispensable.  They 
would  l»e  very  cosily,  therelbre,  and.  moreover,  as  the  lar<;(*  middle 
fort  wonld  ha\e  t(»  be  founded  in  water  sonu'  l.'iO  feet  deep,  not  less, 
aceordin;;  to  the  nntst  aulhentic  s()iindin;;s  we  now  haxc.  this  pi'oject 
may  i»e  deemed  to  be,  if  not  iinpraetieable,  inadmissible,  from  the  enor- 
mous cost  it  would  involve,  as  compareil  with  the  imiMufeet  prolection 
it  Would  alVord;  especially  as  without  one  fort  at  least  in  the  channel — 
tw((  such  forts  bein;^'  retpiisite  to  a  eomplele  «lelense — th(»  two  forts  on 
the  shoi'cs  wonld  be  next  to  useless.  No  irnjtroN  enients  in  the  lauije 
and  power  of  artilleiy  could,  with  these  alone,  make  the  forcin;;  the 
l»assa<ie  at  ni<;ht  an  enterprise  of  peril.  Nor  shoidd  these  points  on 
the  shore  be  fortilied  in  expectation  that  lloatin,^'  batteries,  capable 
w  ith  tin-ir  (((operation  ((f  c(»mnnin(lin;i  the  i)assa;;e.  can  be  sui»sti(uted 
for  mid-ehanmd  forts.  When  improvements  in  naval  (Murstruetion  shall 
proNide  permanent  lloatinu'  batteries  of  ade(iuate  power  fully  to  per 
torm  their  part — occnpyiujii  and  maiutainini;'  in  all  weatheis  theii'  proper 
positi((n  at  nniorinju's  in  this  inlet,  tln^  shoics  may  l)e  occupied  Ity  suit- 
able foitilications,  but  the  shore  occupation  should  Ixi  deferred  till  then, 
a  i»eriod  eeitaiidy  icmote. 

Tiie  barely  possible  line  of  defense  we  have  been  considei  in;;  wonld 
extend  from  Point  NVilsim,  a  little  m)rth  of  Port  Townseud,  across  to 
Whidbey's  Island,  at  or  near  Adnuralty  Head,  a  distance  (as  before 
said)  of  about  .'>  miles,  the  intermediat(^  nuddle  soundings  varyiiii;  frcnu 
L'o  to  4L'  fathoms  (IT.n  feet  to  L'o'J  feet). 

'jr».  in  lelation  to  forts  upon  the  shore  at  thi?;  place.  1  ouuht  to  add 
that  one  at  Wilson's  Point  woidd  partially  piotect  an  imlilfercnt  anchor- 
aj;e  in  an  open  roadstead  close  to  I  he  south  of  it, and  mi^ht  thereby  be  (d' 
s(Mne  service,  as  aflordinj;'  occasional  refu^fe  tVom  an  eiu'my's  cruisers, 
but  it  would,  as  we  have  seen,  tullill  in>  other  object,  and.  as  we  >ihail 
see  further  on,  this  end.  besides  otheis  of  importaie'c,  may  be  madi 
better  secured  (  Isewhere. 

This  jiarticidar  subject  of  a  sinj;le  line  of  defense  for  all  the  iuni-r 
waters  btduy'  one  of  which  tin-  impcutance,  fiivat  even  now,  will  i»e  aun- 
nu'iitinn"  with  the  advancement  of  the  conidiy  in  i)oi»ulation  ami  wealth. 


L  ha 


V(^  anxiously  souuhL  loi' sonu-  po>itn)n,  more  within  reach  ot  i»racti- 


eable  nietlioils  than  that  just  meiitioaed,  and  have  found  one  meriting; 
exact  examination  and  study. 

This  line  extends  from  Foul  weather  Pi»int,at  tiie  northern  end  of  the 
promontory  boiindinp' Jlood'sCanal  «ni  the  east,  across  eastward  to  Don- 


50 


KOK'!i)'ICATI()NS    ITO.V    ITOKT    Sol'ND, 


Mil  ijiiill",  a  Hjilit'iit  hi'adlimd  oil  the  soulliwest  .slioic  ol*  NN'liidlic.v's  Isl- 
jiiid — tln>  (lisliuicr  licin;;  iil)iiiit  -.\  miles,  w  i(li  (i  rallioms  jiikI  S.\  liillioiiis 
;;iM'ii  :i.s  tlic  (l(>])tlis  ill  tlu'  iiii(l<llc.  In  tli(.*  otiirr  direction  it  iiliis  to  or 
iM'iir  Tula  Point,  llic  eastcni  cjijm'  of  I'oit  Liidlow,  on  wliicii  a  tort  will 
aM'ord  inotcction  to  that  port,  Ix'sidcs  contrilMitin;;'  to  tlic  di'l'eiisc  of 
Jlood's  ( "anal. 

L'7.  This  line  may  rcMHiirc  lour  forts  for  its  coinjiictc  occaipatioii,  vi/ : 
One  oil  W'hidhcv's  Island,  one  in  (  pidital)l,\ )  ti  or  S  liithonis  water  in  the. 
main  ehiiiincl  ot  Admiralty  Inlet,  one  on  Fonlweather  i'oiiit,  and  one  on 
'I'ala  roiiit. 

L'S.  With  the  siii^ile  ohjeetion  »t|"  exeliidiii^'  from  its  ]»rotectioii  I'ort 
Towiiseiid,  this  line  has  all  the  a(l\anta;i;es  ol'  the  cttlier,  with  the  ree- 
ommeiidation  of  in'iiiiittin^i'  a  uradnal  or  pro;j;ressi\('  execution  ai*- 
cordiii;:'  to  tlie  jiiowiii;:  need  of  this  re;iioii  of  I  he  country,  and  of  luiiiu 
free  liom  dilhciilties  that,  if  not  really  so,  must  be  treated  as  insurmount- 
able.     'I'll"  projiress  hen   should  be: 

(1)  A  work  on  Tala  Toiiit  ((irst -class),  which,  besides  ^iviiij;' a  defense 
to  I'oiC  Ii>'dlow,  and  the  anchorages  inside  and  outside  of  that  i»oint 
thereby  .ser  ,';;,■;  as  a  ^ood  and  accessible  harbor  of  refnjic,  and  exer(!is- 
inj;  an  iiiiport.int  control  over  the  entrance  to  Hood's  <  'anal,  here  so  nar- 
row that  the  jxtwer  of  this  work  would  deter  an  enemy  at  any  late  fr(»m 
jiredatory  incursions  into  the  canal. 

(L')  A  fort  on  or  near  the  middle  (»!'  the  stiait  betweiMi  T'oulwcathei' 
I'oint  and  ^\'hidb»'y^s  Island.  Tiiisfort  will  ol  itself  yive  to  this  cliaiinel 
a  like  protection,  causin^i-  the  forcing  of  the  |)assa;i<'  to  be  too  hazard- 
Otis,  except  for  some  jiU'at  object  and  by  a  formidable  ex]>edition,  thus 
{jiviii;^'  by  a  small  fortihcafion  a  security  to  the  ii.])per  waters  likely  for 
years  to  »;ome  to  Ite  adequate  t(t  their  need.  This  loit  also  should  l)elon,!; 
to  the  hrst  (jlass,  the  operations  l)eiii«;  carried  on  at  the  same  time  witli 
those  at  'l''ala  Point,  ami  at  such  a  rate  at  least  that  the  nnder-water 
work  will  be  re. lily  lor  the  superstructure  by  the  time  thecMlier  is  ready 
for  ;;iins. 

(-■J)  A  fort  on  I'oiilweather  Point  (second-class),  which,  besides  com- 
])letiiij;  the  defense  of  flood's  < 'anal,  will  exercise  an  important  com- 
mand over  the  niaiii  channel  of  Puyct  .Sound. 

(t)  A  fortitication  on  Double  Bliilf,  ^Vhidbey's  Island. 

This  last  will  complite  the  barrier,  of  which  the  strength  wi'l  be  «|uite 
(Mpial  to  any  <liity  the  future  may  impose  on  tliesi'  fortitications.  Jt  is 
])ossible  that  the  mid  channel  soundin<;s  of  (j  and  S.\  fathoms  fall  uix.n  a 
bank,  a  led.uc  atfordin^j:  room  for  a  battery  at  still  less  depth,  and  it  is 
even  possible  that  a  site  may  be  found  hero,  in  such  jiosilion  and  of 
such  moderate  <]epths,  as  to  permit  occupation  in  a  way  to  dispense 
with  a  permanent  fort  at  W'hidbey's  Island,  leavin<;'  any  necessary 
armaiiMMit  at  that  i)lace  to  lie  siii)])lied  by  temi)orary  batteries. 

The  line  of  defense  or  barrier  we  lia\<'  been  considering-  will  i)rot(>ct 
overvthin;;'  within  the  mouth  of  Admirality  Inlet,  cxcejit  Port  Towns- 
end. 

.")!.  Allowin^i'.  meanwhih'.  the  jutKiticability  of  this  line  to  be  eoiitin- 
^••ent  on  inlbrmation  \ct  to  be  acquired,  we  will  retire  further  into  these 
waters  in  search  of  other  bairiers.  Ibit  in  quittin^i  this  ]iosition  we 
should  surrender  much.  W'v  should  yield  at  once  all  the  waters  behind 
^Vllidbey'«  Islaml,  which,  with  the  aid  of  a  very  small  work  at  J)ecep- 
tion  Pass,  would  thereby  be  well  ])rotecte<l;  and  as  we  liiid  no  defensi- 
ble jiioiind  until  we  reach  Point  Di-liam^e  on  the  "  Narrows,"  some  4."( 
or  ."»(»  miles  above,  we  should  have  to  surrender  a  laii;e  surface  oftlie.se 


r(iirriri(  ATioNs  vvus  vvawv  sound.  67 

iiitninr  sounds,  ('(tiitiiiiiiii;;' si'\(r:il  islniids  and  si'vcrnl  liai'lxiis,  incliid- 
ill*;- tlif  iioit  o|'  Sciittit — a  prui.nscd  (cniiiniis  of  the  Nortliciii  Atlantic 
K'ailroarl  roiiir — williont  aM\  means  of  rovciin;;' t  licni,  of  any  of  tin'in, 
rxc»'i»t  at  an  cNiicnsc  disitropoi  t  inrnilf  to  tlicir  \alin'. 

IVJ,    Tiic  Nai  io\\  s  at  or  iM'ar  Point  I  ^cliantc  may  be  coniinandcd  pretty 

ui'll     liv     :l     Willi:      nil     lli:it     Miiii't.    Mill!     I  iiM  I'l'i'l  I  \      I'liiit  I  mIIi'iI     Iiv     tliis.   tii. 


<inir('tl  iiy  tne  incsenr  vanuMil  tnc  ohiccts  tlicri',  ir  lests  npon  tne  jno- 
prit'ty  of  liiulin<;',  if  inaclicablc,  stinic  .">(>  niilos  fuitlier  down,  a  juMiiia- 
nent  harrier  for  the  coninion  defense  of  all  these  waters. 

;}.■>.  1  >hall  phice  the  delensc  df  tin.  Narrows  of  Pn;;('t  Sonnd  l»y  tem- 
porary liatterie.s  in  the  Mrst  chiss,  bnt  only  as  regards  tiu'  snppl.\  ol  the 
necessary  .liuns,  etc.,  h'avinji' the  erection  oftlie  Temporary  worlis  to  a 
time  of  need,  and  the  constrnct  ion  of  any  permant'nt  fortilications  thi,M  e 
t;ontin;;eiit  on  the  failnre  to  erect  snitable  (h-fenses  on  file  su^iu'csted 
barrier  line  from  I-'tudweather  Point  to  Donlile  iUnlf.  In  case  of  such 
failure,  a  pei'Mianent  woik  at  the  Narrows  would  lielonj;-  to  the   second 


ss. 


.'!(;.  No  position  aljove  I'oint  Deliance  (()r  the  Nairows)  outers  into 
the  question  of  defense  aj;ainst  a  foreign  enemy. 

.'37.  I  turn  back,  therefore,  to  tlie  ^5traits of  Fuca,  whole, as  1  have  said, 
there  is  no  establisiiment  of  any  kimi  requirin^ion  its  own  account  local 
fortilications,  lint  where  we  have  to  iiuard,  as  well  as  we  can,  against  the 


58 


I'OKTIFH'ATIONS    UPON    ITCiKT    SOUND. 


lK»\v«'r  iiiid  iiidiiciicc,  of  a  liostilo  v.w.A  nivilomiiiancc.  I'lidci'  siu  li  as- 
ccikU'IU'V  IIm'Ic  can  be  no  cohi.iK'Ico  1km  ■'■('cii  our  ports  witliiii,  ;iiiil  no 
i'ltcicotirse  witli  tlii;:a  outside  of  flic  sti'ii's — no  cxpcilitions  nlloal 
a;^ainst  tin;  coninicrce  or  est  a  1)1  i  slim  en  ts  of  an  Mn'iny — in>  chance  nn'  the 
tlarin;;"  entei'in  is*'  oi  onr  .-piriteil  luit  inleiinr  na\  a!  •oice.  nnless  we  sh:ill 
possess,  at  favorahle  points,  foitilied  inchorinics  as  p'aces  of  resort  and 
iefn;ie.  rinlerthe  shelter  o!'  siudi  fortilic.nions.  onr  vessels  may — ;is  tin 
c;ise  amy  he — :i\vait  nu)nM'nts  for  continnin,i;'  lli^hl,  lor  retaliatiii;:  npon 
exposed  oitjeets,  or  for  enterin};  npon  actions  ot'  enterprise  or  \  ioop. 
Willi  sncli  shelter,  the)'.'  may  be  some  chance  of  ;.'ivin;;  an  offensive 
cjiiiracter  to  thewiir — of  impart  in  j^'  some  ener;:y  (<»  it — of  lorciiiu' an 
enemy  ii!t(>  incessant  employnu-nt  of  ;i,'  his  lorccs.  into  a  \v»Mi.\in,^  vi^i 
lance  ;it  id!  his  ])orts,  and  an  e\hiinsli\  e  nse  of  his  nii'.ins. 

Without  it  and  with  an  <'ncmy"s  ciiiiser  or  t  wo  Ueejun;;  easy  watch 
iilon^r  onr  shori's,  all  conunercijil  <iilrrpi,>"  and  e\  eiy  ni;ii  t  lal  eiier;:.\ 
would  be  stilled. 

.■'»S.  LooUin;;'  for  posil  i(Mis  lik«'ly  lo  I  dli!)  tin'  reipnsile  conditions  of 
haibors  of  i-esort  and  refn;;e,  it  is  exideni  tli;it  vessels  about  lo  cuter 
the  Stiuits  (tf  !'"ucii  will  be  approiichin;^-  closelx  the  -  rciit  lisks  proehled 
by  itn  enemy's  na\  al  stiit  i(Mi  within  t  he  capes.  Si^^naliu;:.  with  a  harbor 
oi"  refny«'  there  (;is  at  Xeeah),  she  w(»uld  learn  whether  lo  ii-lire  from 
the  coast  or  come  forw  ;ird  into  'he  fortilieil  unchuiM  .;e,  m  lo  prr'ss 
I'lirther  forwaid. 

So.  bein.u'  outward  boiiml,  and  havinu'  elu  .ed  the  biockade  lliu.s  tai'. 
a  passin;!'  vi'ssel  could  learn  by  siuiiiil  (or  ot  hci'wisc)  olf  the  same  pl.u-c 
whether  ■"■  not  ciuiseis  were  lyinu'  in  w;iit  oulside  of  (  :ipe  I'laltci'N . 
riie  a<ivanta;L:'(' of  such  :i  Inirbor  here,  if  to  be  found  ..nd  nniintained. 
would  thcretbi''  seem  to  be  iiic.Mdestuble. 

'.V.K  W'hcthei' Admiralty  iniet  be  choed  by  a  coinneui  barrier  al  <ii 
some  distiiiice  uitlnn  its  montli,  or  its  ports  separately  foitilied.  all  its 
c(uuniuiiicati(uis  with  exterior  waters  would  be  o\erle  iked  by  blockad 
in;^'  Ncssels  vvithin  <u' otf  its  mouth,  liiio  this  month  they  nu;ilit  often 
run,  but  havinualso  the  breadth  of  the  straits  here  at  its  widest  i  b">  to  L'(» 
miles')  to  w  Itch  they  nmy  be  expected  to  take  ofleii,  if  not  eeiie'ally, 
positions  alfurdiiiL;  \  iew  s  also  of  (he  iippi'oacli  of  tin-  st  raits,  and  of  the 
several  chaniu'ls  of  the  San  diian  Archipelauo.  lleie.  then,  wheicall 
our  lloatinu'  interesls  c(ninected  \>!ih  /vdmiralty  Inlet  and  I'uuci  Suund 
must  pass,  and  n<'ar  euoujuh,  inoreo\«'r.  to  be  jnoliicd  nf  by  tlio>c  ct)ii 
neeted  with  the  San  Juan  Ari'ldpela;io.  slion'd  l>e  prepared  another 
Jilai'e  of  rel'u,ue. 

■b>.  \\  itli  an  enemy's  cruisers  1\  in;^  within  the  inlet,  .such  a  place  out 
side  thereof  w  (Uild  he  indispensable  to  \  essels  coming  from  sea — if  l.vln;; 
outside  o|  the  inlet,  onr  vessels  vent  in  in.;  h,.yond  lis  moulii  would  need 
to  liiid  til.  shelter  close  al  haml,  should  they  find  i  iie  enemy's  cruisers 
in  a  positltui  t»>  iiitercept  their  p;  ssajic  to  Neeali  llarboi'.  It  is  a  condi- 
tion, theielbre.  that  a  iiarhor  ot  rcfuiit' there  slioiihl  fa\oi- iioth  aiiivinu 
antl  depaitin.L;  vessels. 

■H.  Kor  these  objects,  lalse  I  )nn,i;«'iiess  Harbor,  thonj;li  e\ceilcnt  as 
a  Inirbor,  ami  liable  possibly  to  become  one  day  an  interinediate  resort, 
is  too  far  (al>  int  .'id  miles)  I'rou.  Admiralt>  Inlet.  New  hnnec'iiess  Har- 
bor is  lather  too  far.  about  is  miles;  but  as  to  this.  I  have  some  tnrlher 
remaiks  to  make.  Sipdin  or  \\'ashiii;;toii  1  larboi- ( IT)  ndles  ofV),  tlionnh 
well  incl  '«;ed,  appears  to  be  too  >lioal  al  its  month.  Theie  remain^ 
Port  I  )iscoveiy.  about  s  miles  liom  I'oint  Wilson,  or  the  month  oi  the 
inlet. 

4:.'.  This  is  a  very  well  slidicred  haiboi'.  extendinu  S  or  10  inile^  into 


I 


FOUriFle'ATKt.N.S    i;r(»N    I'UCJF.T    souni 


59 


tin couiitvy.  Iriviii;;- jiiTiit  (l.-jtlli  of  water,  its  two  <'ii|»('s  itcniiitliii;.''  a 
;,Mi(»(l  (li'lfiise  (if  liic  ciitiaiii'i',  \v!!v;i('\  IT  tliat,  may  l>i_'  louiid  iiccfssaiy. 

Ill  Iroiii  (iftlic  iiioiit'n,  but  allowiiiji' ail  easy  «'iitraii('e  on  (■!;!•  side  to 
tlif  main  iiarboi'.  lies  rrotcM-tion  Island,  ilmiit  I .',  miles  Ion;:'  ami  oin-lialt' 
mill'  wide.  Tills  island,  oeeii I lietl  Ity  a  lort  and  batteries,  will  ;ii\  e.  el.tse 
under  its  soiitli  shore,  a  siielleied  aiieliora^e  to  vessels  arriviii;^'  liom 
either  direction.  It  presents  itself  l.ivoraltly.  therefore,  as  the  del'eiided 
aiichoraue  we  are  seekin.n'  near  the  month  ol'  .Vdmiralty  liilel. 

i.'i.  Its  advantages  as  such  over  I'ort  'I'ownseiid,  or  tiie  aiieliorane 
over  Point  Wilson,  are,  it.s  aeeessibility  to  vessels  bound  we^twartl, 
iiort  liward,  or  inward  :  its  bettei'  onih»oU  iii>oii  tin'  Stiails  ol  1' ilea  ;  that 
while  cruisers  lyiiiu'  within  I'oiut  \\'ilsoii  w.tiild  perfeeily  close  I'ort 
Townseiid,  as  Well  as  Admivah.v  Inlet,  odier  ciiiiseis  than  these  em- 
idoyed  within  that  inlet  wciM  be  iiecessai'.x  to  shut  this  ancliora;;e  : 
that  its  fortilicd  anchora.n'e  would  ln'  a  portion  '-f  ihe  entire  defen-^e  of 
the  best  harbor  on  the  scuitli  side  of  these  straits,  one  that,  from  its 
;^reat  extent,  line  water,  and  defeiisilileness,  must  become  id  iiiii»or- 
taiice,  and  one  that  has  been  iiineli  s|»o|.  t-n  of  as  i  he  site  oi  a  iia\  a!  .\  anl 
aii;!  station,  ami  a  ill  certainly  have  strong- claims  to  be  taken  into  ae- 
eoniit  whencNcr  cii  vMnnstances  shall  have  so  ehaii^cd  as  tv>  m  ike  such 
an  establishment  necessary  oi'  proper  within   these  straits. 

14.  < 'oinpaiiii;^  I'rotectioii  Island  with  New  l>iiii{;'encss  Ilarlior,  I  lind 
that  tlioii.iih  rat  iier  far  iroin  Admiralty  Inlet  as  a  refuse  tor  vessels 
Ixiiind  t  hither,  or  escapiii';"  t  hence,  the  latter  is  tlit^beiiei-  siinated  ol" 
rlie  tW(».  by  its  advanced  position  in  Ine  straits.  Tiie  two  should, 
tlu-relore,  Ite  eaiefidly  compared  by  tiie  Hoard  ol'  Iji^ineers,  afier  local 
examination,  and,  if  necessary,  surveys  (»t"  t  he  localities  and  deicrmiiia- 
iion  of  t  he  nature,  extent,  and  cost  o)'  t  he  foitilications  thai  wmild  l)c 
necessary  in  each  case.  It  is  jjioltable  that  a  stron;;'  batti'ry  on  Iii;;ht 
House  Point  would  be  so  siiiiated  as  to  prote<'t  \essels  anchored  close 
to  the  soi'.t  h  sImu'c  <iI  t  hat  point. 

!."».  With  tiicse  views,  a  ibrtilicatioii  at  one  or  the  otlier  is  regarded 
as  nee(>ssary,  and  as  beloiiLiin.u'  to  liie  lirst  class  of  works. 

1<».  The  1  w  <•  liarlitMs  i.|'  'ii;;!'  thus  deemed  indispensable  in  t  he  St  rails 
of  I'ue;',  ill  IIm'  stide  of  tliiiiLi's  :i<siiiii<'(l  as  to  naval  predoiniiiaiice, 
namely,  one  near  ( 'ape  l"latt»'r,\ ,  ,  li>-  oi  ner  near  the  iiMtiitii  ol'  .\i  I  mi  rally 
Inlet,  will  be  well  situ  ili'd  as  r«';;ards  important  relati<His  to  the  San 
dnaii  Arcliipela;i.o  and  lo  the  main  slnnc  in  ilhward  ul'  tlu'  inlet,  how 
ever  the  divisi<iM  line  tlirou;;li  that  monpof  islands  may  lie  run.  In  a 
coididential  report  lately  submitted,  I  have  parli'-iilaily  considered  tiial 
portion  of  the  <pH'st io!i  of  refiiue  harbors  tiiat  relate-  to  these  iiuit hern 
.-•liore.s  and  islands. 

17.  Ilefore  (piittiiiL;"  alto;jether  liiis  part  of  our  sui)|eci,  it  ma.\  oe  well 
t<»  state  thai  such  defenses  as  may  now  be  as^i^ncd  to  these  ports  as 
harbors  of  refuse  will  in  no  di';;ree  be  lost  under  a  ehaiii;e  of  naval  re- 
lations. Ill  such  r:\st-  the  toil  ilieat  ions  at  lliese  excellent  harbois  will 
still  Im  necessary  |»arlsof  Ihe  general  s\stein  of  coast  defenses. 

•IS.  It  Will  Iia\'e  been  notii-ed  Ihatas  re;,Mrils  defense  (»ii  I  his  iioithe'/n 
shore  ol  \\'aslii!!;;ton  Tcrriloi  \ .  I  lia\e  rectunmended  as  of  l  he  lirs;  d.iss  : 

A  I'mi  !!;•  .1  miii'Imum^'' :i  I  N'l  cili  iholmr. 

A  'iHiiiii'il   ainliiir;i;;i'  al    .Nfw    1 'ini;;fiirv<  nr  nii   I'l  utiTtioM  I-^'iniil  i  I'Kri    !•!»«• 

'  H\fl\  ). 

A  I'liil  nil  'ial.-i  Point,  I  iitr.-iiiii'  to  It.Mnl'M  t'a:ial  .iii<l  ii>  l'"il   I.'h'.I'Uv. 
.\  I'l'it  III  r"i(l-cliaiiiicl,  t'^.-wi'i'ii  i-'niilwrailii-r  I'oiiU  ami  \\'Iiii1Im-\'n  Inhiinl. 
A  fitlliTi  inn  I't' lit  avy  ictiiis  at  Su-iluciii'iii  l.ir  |fui|ii<i.ii  >  iialicrii-t  at   tip'   Nar- 
row s  of  I'ligit  ^ouiid. 


€0 


FORTIFICATIONS    T'l'ON    PUGET    SOUND. 


f 


l» 


4!).  KN'lyiiiji'  on  tlic  ])rol)i)l)ility  of  lixiiiu'  n  (M)iiii>lt'tt'  Imi  rit»r  acioss  frotii 
Foulwciitlu'i'  I'oiiit,  1  would  assiyii  to  the  st'(!oii(l  class  a  loit  on  J'oiil- 
Avcadici'  Point  and  a  f'oit  on  Douldf  IJInll',  \Vliidl)('y".s  Island. 

.")().  ^Vitilont  any  doiil)ls  as  to  the  concjt  ncss  of  tlic  piv('('din,<:-  p'neral 
views — allndin,u'  now  csin'c-ially  to  the  Straits  of  Fnca  and  tlic  iiitciior 
waters,  and  to  the  fi'cneral  (uniclnsions  to  which  I  have  been  led — 1  have 
nevcrtiiclcss  fonnd  almost  e\crywhcr«'  a  want  of  that  specific  informa- 
tion that  is  indisix'iisahlc  to  an  acfnal  determination  of  the  form,  extent,' 
and  even  ])i'ecise  site  of  the  fortilications  tliat  ninst  be  i)ro\  ided  ibr  the 
seveiiil  cases.  Sometimes  the  want  tonchcs  even  the  (picstion  of  i)rac- 
ticability.  Thonjih  scM-ral  times  menl  ioncil,  1  mnst  here  icnew  nrjicntly 
the  reeomnicndation  as  to  a  IJoard  (tf  l']n;^ineers  for  this  coast,  and  jiress 
its  imn.cdiate  oruanizat  ion  :i::d  entrance  n]»nn  the  dnl.\' of  makin;^' ex- 
aininati(»ns.  snrv«'ys,  ])roJe<!ts,  and  estimates. 

ol.  I'^vcrytliinu"  lias  yet  to  be  done  liei'c.  Years  must  l)c  consumed 
in  the  execution  of  any  ])roject  or  system,  no  matter  what.  I.ct  us, 
therefore,  save  as  much  time  as  ]K)ssible  by  at  once  talcing  tiu'  i)i'clim- 
iiiary  steps,  unavoidalily  slow.  In  order  to  this.  1  recoinmeihi  v.ith  like 
earnestness  the  calling;  upon  (.'on^rcss  to  appropriaie  at  the  ]»resent 
session  the  sum  of  •'i' 1(10, ()()(),  lor  comuM'Ucin.t;'  such  i()vtiiicat ioirs  as  the 
J'residcnt  may  tind  to  be  m-ccssary  foi'  ilie  defense  of  Ibrts  within  Cape 
Flatter.N',  NX'ashinuton  Tenit'iry,  and  for  niaidni;'  tlie  necessary  surveys 
and  examinations. 

*  If  »  #  •  *  * 

MA.  Ila\in.u'  now  i)assed  alon;^' our  whole  sea  front  o!i  tin'  racitic, 
desi,<i;natini':  the  in-edcd  military  defensrs.  we  may  sum  up  t;'ei;eial  con- 
clusions as  i'ollows :     *     *      ' 

14r».  Secondly,  that  such  jilaces  on  that  coast  as  niv  now  ov  ai»'  rap- 
idly becomin;^'  of  value  should  be  defended.  This  \\'A\  include,  as  of 
])rim:iiy  importance,  tiie  tbllowin.t;('ases.  namely  :  'I'he  lortification  i)er- 
manently  of  ('a])e  iJisappointment.  and  the  I'rection  of  temporary  l»at- 
teries  on  ('a])e  Adams,  at  the  mouth  of  ( 'ob.nnbia  If iver,  which  defenses 
of  the  !  iver  and  its  establishments  will  also  atlbrd  a  port  of  refuse,  ami. 
if  ju'cd  be,  a  haibor  of  reude/vous  for  our  cruisers.  A  line  of  tlefense 
foi'  i'uut't  .Sound  and  Hood's  Canal,  extending' across  Irom  Port  Ludlow 
to  \N"hidbey"s  Island,  and  tbrtilication  of  the  excellent  harbor  of  San 
Die<jfo,  as  a  port  of  refiij^c,  and  a  point  most  advantaj^eoiisly  situated  at 
tlu'  southern  extremity  of  our  co:ist  as  a  remlezvous  tor  tuir  Xavy. 

Mti.  Thii'dly,  that  the  few  harbors  or  i'.nchorajfes  t(t  be  found  on  that 
coast  of  1, .■"»()(>  miles  in  Icnjitli  be  tbrtilied  as  placi's  of  iefu.m'  tor  vessels 
iuidaniicred  by  an  enemy's  cruisers,  although  they  may  not  contain  set- 
tlements of  impoitauce;  tills  includes  t he  immediate  s<'lection  and  de- 
fense of  t  wo  harbors  on  the  St  raits  of  Fuea — probaVdy  >«'eeali  Harbor  and 
Kew  hnn.'niness  llarboioi-  Port  l>isco,\ cry. 

#  *  #  •«  *  #  '  •  ' 

lis.  I'il'thly,  that  a  call  U|tiin  Coni^rcss  be  made  for  early  ap|»ropiia- 
tioiis  Ibi-  the  commencement  of  fortilications  at  the  mouth  of  Columbia 
lliver.  and  also  witiiiu  Cape  I'l.itlery,  in  addition  to  apitiopriations  for 
defenses  already  bc;;un  on  tlie  Pacilic  toast. 


CLA.-^SIIICATION    OF    Tilt;    I'nltTlFICAIlONS    IJKijfllMn)    H)\l    Till:    DE- 
FKNSF   OF   Tin;    PACIFIC   CoAST   OF    TIIK    INFIKI)   STATKS. 


I.';!.    The  detens«s  comprised  in  the  two  foilowinf;  classes  an*  iinj)or- 
tant  las  to  the  mder  ol  timc^  aceordiny  to  tin*  ;:ieneral  arranji'eineiit  in 


roRTiKir.VTio.T.s  UPON  i'i'(n:r  solind. 


61 


esu'li  class;  Imt.  it"  iiossihlc,  tlio  works  within  the  saiin'  lirackct  slioiild 
all  hv  Xn'iiun  at  tlic  same  tiiii' :  ii'  .iiat  can  imt  1m',  tiieii  in  tlic  unlcr  in 
wliioli  tlicy  stand  in  tin'  bracket. 

l.")4.  The  works  in  the  si'(^(>n«l  class  should  await,  i>r  at  any  rate  should 
not  lessen.  ai)pro|>iiat ions  necessary  to  the  coinplctictn  ot'tlii'  (iist  (-lass. 

l.V».   ["jiNt  class. 

1.  V  I'liit  KM  I'lPi't  J'oitii San  I'laiici.-ro  llarlmr 

",'.      liai tfiii's  on  Alialias  Island San  I'lancisco  llailmr 

:!,  (  Matt  fries  on  Liinr  I'nint  and  I'nint  Cava  I  In San  Krain'isco  Ilarlxn' 

4.   r  S  \V()rl<s  on  (.'apt'  l)isa))|i(Mntnii-iii Ciplninliia  liivcr 

,'i.   I    i  \\'<iil<s  in  Nci  ah  llarlior St  i  ails  vt'  I'm  a 

[      Or  (on    I'rntv'ftion   Island.  I'oit    I)iscii\  im  y,   ui-  New  I  Min;;tMie.ss 

1  Ha rl  11)1') Straits  ot'  I'nra 

ti.    1       Works  in  San  ])i«'jj;o  llailmr. 

7.    I    j  Works  on  Tala  I'tMnt,  I'.irt  I. ml  low I'li^ict  Sonntl 

I  W«»rks  on  (I'roicciion    Isl.uid.  Port    I'i.sfovt'ry,  or  New  Idm^jf- 

i       ncss  llarlior) Sliaits  of  i'nca 

i  Or  ill  Nct'ali  llarlior S trails  of  Fnc.-i 

'.).   [    ,  Works  in  inid-clianin'l  lii't  ween  Foiilweathcr  I'oint  and  WhiiUioy's 

\      Island "..PiV«t  Sonnd 

10.  C  I)c]iosir  of  heavy  ;;nns  in  C'oliiniliia  K'ivcr  for  tciniiorai'y  liatterics. 

11.  l>f|Misit  ot  lieavy  ;;nns  at  StiMhK'ooin  lor  tiMni>orar,\-  liattciics  at    tlx'  Narrows 
1  (       of  Pnnct  Sound. 

loO.  Second  class : 

1.         Aii^i'l  Island  San  I'rar.iisco  Hay 

','.  [  S  Montcny  l.'oadstcad. 

:i.  ]  (  Santa  Cataliiia  Island. 

•I.  1  S  llnnilioldr  Hay. 

r>.  I  (  rniii(|na  JJivrr. 

ti.  (  (  San  Pedro  l!a\ . 

7.  I    j  Koiil  weather  Point  Pii^et  Son  ml 

s.  i  Santa  Itarliara  liarlioi-. 

;».  1  l,I5:>.v  of  Ivstero. 

1(1.      <  C'liyler's  llarhoi- San  Mi^ml  Island 

11.  [  (  Prisoner's  iiarli.r Santa  Crnz  Island 

\'2,  (     IJarraeks  on  Aleatras  Island San  I-'raiiciseo  llarhor 

i:!.  ;  JSoden;,,  r.ay. 

14.  I      Donlde  HI  nil'.  Whidhey's  Isi.uiil Pny,-et  Sound 

i.'i.  Sail  .(ose  Po'iit San  I'raneiseo  llarlior 


Exti'ttctH  ft'otii  iu'i>iiit  of  (t  jolnf  ci>in)nissiiin  ot'  ([tHcct'n  of  the  Corp.s  af  Eniji- 
neers,  l'.  S.  .1.,  ((nil  oljirers  oj' the  Nari/,  lUited  Xovembir  1,  1S.">(). 


This  eoininissioii  was  constituted  I)y  the  President  of  the  I'nitec 
States,  and  receiv«Ml  instructions  timn  the  War  and  Navy  Department.' 
under  date  of  Noxcndier  .'><►,  ISiS, 

*  •  *  »  •  •  • 

It.  rti^ict  Snnnd  and  llond's  Canal  are  braiuthes  of  Admiralty  iidet, 
antl  the  lat  ter  joins  the  Straits  of  I'lica,  which  separate  «»ui'  teriitory 
IVom  N'auconver's  Islatid  hetween  the  point  of  junction  ami  the  (»cean. 
riie.se  waters  •,\iv  navigable  for  any  draiioht  of  water  throiiyhoiil  their 
whole  extent,  and  contain  iniiiieroirs  liuc  hai'bors  well  sheltered. 

17.  'I'he  dc>iunatiiin  of  sites  for  fortifications,  as  re»piired  under  the 
lirst  head  of  the  joint  instructions,  will  be  commenced  at  I*u;;'et  Sound, 
as  bein;,'  the  inn>t  remote  part  of  th«' coa>t  (»f  Orc^i'oii,  and  «'<)ntinued 
soiithwartlly  to  San  l)ie,i:'o.  in  California. 

IS.  'I'he  "  Narrows"  at  the  entrance  o\'  I'lio'et  Sound  ar<'  less  than  a 
mile  in  width,  and  a  work  there  wotdd  bar  the  [)assay<'  ot  h(»stile  ves- 


02 


FORTIFICATIONS    UPON    PUGET    SOrND. 


.sols and  alVoifl  st'ciuity  to  the  interior  of  tlic  sound.  I f  tlic  eastern  l)ank 
l)e  oeetijiied,  it  would  Ite  lavuiahh  to  the  maintenance  of  t'oniniunieation 
with  New  Market  ami  the  ("ohunltia  Itiver.  Hat  tlie  oeeupaticui  ot'tlif 
western  bank  is  ])refened,  as  faeilitatiu;:'  coniuiunii-ation  and  mutual 
support  with  a  work  at  the  entrance  nl'  Hood's  Canal. 

11>.  A  work  at  the entiance  of  Hood's  < 'anal,  upon  a  ton.uue  ol' land  on 
the  southeastern  batdi,  would  tolerably  well  command  the  eidraiu-e. 
which  is  here  about  1.]  miles  wide, and  also  theentrani;e  to  Port  (lamide, 
throujih  wlii<'h  vessels  drawi;iy,'  IL'  to  I,")  feet  mijiht  pass,  and  anchor 
within  the  port  beyond  th''  reach  of  an  enemy's  lire. 

L'O.  I'ort  Lawrence,  ojn'iun;;  into  Admiialty  Inlet,  and  Port  Townsend 
into  the  Straits  of  Fuca,  arese])arated  by  a  narrow,  low  baid<,ainl  miyhr 
at  a  moderate  expense  be  made  to  communicate  with  each  other  by 
means  of  a  canal.  The  distance  across  the  baidc  from  .'5  fathoms  sound- 
ings of  one  of  these  ports  to  the  sanu'  (h'pth  in  tlu^  other  is  three-tburths 
of  a  mile.  A  canal  of  that  len^jth  and  .'5  fathoms  deej)  woidd  atlbrd  a 
jjassa^e  lor  vessels  of  the  jireatest  drau^^ht  at  hijih  water,  the  rise  of  the 
tide  beiiiii'  li  fathoms,  an<l  for  the  largest  size  of  merchant  vess(dsat  low 
water.  Thechiefexpenseof  its  construction  woidd  be  excavation,  which 
below  the  low-water  line  mif^ht  be  ell'ected  by  dredj?in>i'.  No  {juard- 
locks  or  masonry  to  i)rotect  the  banks  would  be  necessary,  as  the  latter, 
with  a  sl()i)e  of  two  to  one,  and  i)aved  a  foot  or  two  below  low  water  and 
above  hiyh  water,  includin.u'  the  intervening  space,  would  be  sulUciently 
protected  aj»ainst  abrasion  from  the  tide, and  also  Irom  the  waves,  which 
could  not  have  much  force  in  a  ])osition  sowed  sheltered.  These  i)orts. 
connocte<l  by  a  (.'anal,  woidd  all'ord  perfect  shelter  aj;ainst  any  storm  ; 
the  leeward  port,  wheie  the  shelter  wouit)  be  found,  beinji"  always  a(;ces- 
sible  to  vessels  lyinj;  in  the  windward  port,  or  tindin.!;  it  the  most  con- 
venient to  enter  at  the  approach  of  a  storm.  These  ports  would  also 
atford  a  refujje  a<;ainst  ]»ursuit.  and  their  jxjsition  at  the  Jun(;tion  of  the 
Straits  of  Fuca  and  Adnuralt.v  Inlet,  with  an  entrance  fioiu  each,  must 
ureatly  enhance  their  value  in  that  lespect,  and  also  in  re},'ard  to  the 
facilities  they  would  atford  to  vessels  resortin.y;  to  them  foi*  resi'.e.unjr 
their  voya;;es,  as  one  hostile  vessel  could  not  blo(;kade  both  ports,  and 
if  more  vessels  weie  employed  for  that  purpose,  the  force  rcjidsite  for 
the  blockade  (»f  each  port  would  need  to  be  <;re;itei'  than  the  tbrce  that 
could  be  bi(»u;;lit  a^^ainst  it  fiom  the  two  jions.  A  tbrtilicatiou  would 
be  n'(|uired  for  each  of  these  ]M)rts  to  d<'fe!id  rise  aiu'hor;i;i'es  and  the 
])assa<;e  thronjih  the  eanal.  One  at  Miiidle  Point  would  answei-  this 
purpose  f(U'  i'ort  Townsend.andone  at  thesouthern  extrt'mity  of  Ivilisnt 
HarbtU'for  Port  Lawrence.  The  latter  woidtl  also  command  thesoutluMii 
portion  of  Kilisut  '  larboi',  and.co  opeiatiny  with  a  tehi])orary  battery  1  J, 
miles  south  of  the  entnince.  aimed  and  manned  from  the  fuif  at  Midille 
Point,  would  ])revent  its  beiujn  tesorted  to  by  hostile  vessels  as  a  shelter, 
or  for  landing'  forces  to  attack  eitliei' or  both  forts,  or  for  occupyiiiL: 
]»ositions  with  bomb  vessels  from  which  the  forts  and  anchoraj;es  mi^hl 
be  annoyed.     The  Ibrts  would  be  about  -  nnles  distant  from  each  other. 

1*1.  '*ort  Discoveiy,  ou  the  Stiaitsof  I'uea.  and  \  t'r\  near  Port  Town- 
send,  is  a  capacious  harbor  of  ;;reat  dei»th,iii  which  perlect  shelter  may 
be  found.  'I'he  entrance  is  lA  miles  wide  and  If  miles  distant  from 
Prote<'tiou  Island,  which  lies  directly  in  front  ol  it.  A  tort  on  each 
side  of  the  entrance  would  be  necessary  to  command  it,  and  a  third  fort 
on  the  island  would  cooperate  with  tluMu  and  also  command  the  road- 
stead (Ml  thesiMith  side  ol"  the  island,  anbidin;^  a  safe  anchora;i('ajiainst 
winds  itlowin;.''  Irom  northeast  to  northwest.  But  the;  chief  advantajic 
of  a  fort  on  the  island  would  be  to  prevent  its  occui)atioii  by  an  enemy,  as 


I'OKTIFICATIOXS    UPON    PIGET    SOINI). 


cr. 


Ill    I  IK     II >i  lilt  I    (I  nil   1 1  ."^   nil  ^  in^    l  \^  <>  t-ii  i  i  fi  in.;i-,'>  iii  t-  iiii  \  it  n  i  ii^t  n   ill   i  ('^   iii  \  im  , 

bill  tli;-  it'sults  of  tlie  smvcvs  of  both  iiiav  (b'vclop  ;i(lviiiit;ij;('s  in  lavor 
ofllif  hitlc!  (>r«'(|iiiil  or  jiivatcr  valii  ',  aiid  tlic  sclfctioii  lict wccii  tln'iii 
is  tlicrt't'orc  (h't'<M  red  until  tlios*'  ivsii  ts  sliall  bo  known,  in  tlic  iiican 
time  llu'  intiinsic  cxcclU'iice  of  botli    'lainuMl  tlir   iioti«'«' of  tliciii  wiiicli 

1 1 '1 tj    1  \jiii II     I  rl  \-<i 1 1 


Sites  of  I  111'  liMtiliriiliiiii-i 


T  lii'ir  ili'iioiiiiiialuiii. 


Aiiiiroxiiiiatr  I'^UUiatrs  nI  rust. 


till'  Atlantic-.      On  ilif  racitic 


I'iist  rlass,  to  III-  Imilt  w  iilioiit  ilila.v. 

Srciillil  clasH,  til  ll( 
Nwali  Islaiiil.  Scat 

Tliiril  class.  In  lio  1 
I 'lilt  l.a«  ii'iirf,  A 
.St  lilts  (il  I'lira  : 

I'Klt    TowiisiMH 

I'lill   lllsc  iiMTV 


limit  at 

1  lalrf  lirliiicl. 

■Ijii1iiu;;li 

llailior 

UlM 

iiiilt.it  a 

trlMlltl'  |irriilil. 

illiiiialtv 
I     

lllllt 

liiiilitanil  li.iitriA- 


\V(st  ('a|ii' :    iln 

Ivist  <-'a|)t'         ...ilii 

I'lnti'itiiiu  Islaml ...llu 


Xariows  III  I'liyit  Smiiiil 


lid 


I'^iil  lai 


III'  lliMiil  s  I  'anal . 


?1UI'  UOO 


I."*,  0(10 


l.'ill,  lO'i 


l.'iil.  OiMI 

l.'.ll,  (JIM) 


.«tUH,(.'l.« 


fOO,  OcO 


tii'O.  O'Kl 


liuO.  iliMI 

liim.  1)110 


.■"»."■).  'I'iic  estimates  ar«'  not  Itascil  iipoii  ciiciiiations,  Imt  iipDn  tin- 
lU'oltaltlc  co.st  n))oit  the  Atlantic  i»f  work.s  .similar  to  those  tlics  arc  iii- 
tciitU'tl  to  refer  to,  and  the  limit iplication  ol'  the  Atlantic  cost  !•>  four 
for  tlie  rate  to  w  Inch  the  <^osi  may  be  reduced  when  the  works  sliall  in- 
built, the  rale  of  cost  at  this  t ime,  jud,i;iii;4' of  it  l>y  the  estimates  ol 
Iniiideis  and  mechanics  in  this  coniitry.  lu-iii;;  doiil>le  t!ie  rates  assumed 
ill  the  estimates,  or  ei;;ht  to  one. 

.">7.  The  works  that  would  be  re(|iiired  for  I'oit  l)is(;i)Very  are  speci- 
fied in  the  estimates,  but  their  cost  is  omitted,  and  the  cost  ot  the 
woik.  for  I'oits  Lawrence  and  Townsend  is  included.  If  I'ort  Discov- 
ery lie  itrelerred  as  the  position  to  l»e  defeiide  I,  the  esti'.iates  for  the 
other  position  may  l)e  applied  to  it.  as  it  is  not  intended  that  both 
positions  shoiilil  be  defV'inled. 


-JHl 


G4 


FOlMirifATIONS    UruN    PUOtT    .SOUXD, 


Ad.iutant-CIenkrai/s  Ol-riCK, 

Wdsliiinjttni,  Moij  !>,  ISSS. 

8i  u  :  I  Iijive  the  iioiior  to  tiansinit  Iioiewitli  Soiiiite  n'.soliitioii  of  .March 
1'7, 18SS,(lin'ctiii<j;  the  yecretarv  of  War  to  ti  aiisinit  (!opies  of  al'  reports  of 
JJoanls  of  Kii^iiiieerH  anil  ollicers  of  tlie  Army,  on  tile  in  tlie  Department, 
eoncerninju:  tiie  neeessity  for  fortifications  npon  IMiyet  Sound,  Washinjf- 
toji  Territory, etc.,  referred  to  this  otlice  for  report,  and  to  transmit  copies 
of  sndi  papers  i)ertainins  to  tiie  matter  in  (piestion  as  have  been  fonnd 
in  tliis  oHice,  viz:  Letter  of  Capt.  (leorjre  Stoneman,  Se(!ond  (Javalry, 
and  Lieut.  W.  U.  C  Whitinff,  Corps  of  Lnjiiiicers,  to  AlaJ.  K.  J).  Town- 
send,  Assistant  Adjutant  (Jeneral,  I'acilic  Depaitmejit,  date<l  San  Fran- 
eis(u),  Cal.,  July  a,  IS.")."};  extra(!t  from  letter  of  William  S.  Harney, 
l»rijia<lier-j;eneral,  cominandin}?  Department  of  Oregon,  dated  .Inly  19, 
18.")!>,  to  the  Assistant  Adjiitant-deneral,  IIead(piarters  of  the  Army, 
New  York  C'ty  ;  letter  of  Sl.i}.  (ren.  JL  W.  Halleek  to  Adjutant  (leneral 
L.  D.  Townsend,  Washi'ifiton,  D.  C,  dated  IIea<|uarters  Military  Divis- 
ion of  tiie  I'acific,  Sjin  Francisco,  (Jal.,  Anjiust  !>,  18'l«>;  letter  of  MaJ. 
Gen,  IL  W.  llalleck,  commandinjj  Military  Division  of  the  Pacific,  San 
Franrisco,  Cal.,  November  2li,  18(57,  to  the  Adjutant-General  of  the 
Army,  Vviishinyton,  D.  C. ;  letter  of  F>ri;j:.  Gen.  A.  A.  Humphreys,  com- 
mandiiiii  C n'ps  of  lOnj^ineers,  Washington,  NovenduT  L'.'{,  18G7,  to  Gen- 
eral r.  S.  Grant,  commandinjj  armies  of  the  United  States,  Secretary 
of  War  ail  interim. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  verv  respectfullv,  vour  obedient  servant, 

■  n.  C.  Dhi'M, 
,  A(iJHtnnt(icn(ral. 


11EAD(JUA11TKKS   DEPARTMENT    OF   ()UE(J()N, 

Fort  Vaiivoiirrr,  Wash.,  'fnii/  19,  1S5!>. 

SiK :  I  have  the  honor  to  report,  for  the  iidbrmation  of  the  General- 
in-(.'hief,  ujy  return  to  this  place  from  an  ollicial  visit  to  the  posts  on 
Pu<;et  Sound,  made  in  the  L'.  S.  Steauier  Ma-ssacltusetts. 

•  *••••• 

From  the  <;reat  width  of  the  sound  in  many  i>arts,  suitable  locations, 
combiniii};  advantaj^eous  sites  for  batteries,  with  proper  shores  for 
wharfs  an«l  ancliora<ie,  are  not  often  pi'esented.  I  would  therefore  re- 
spect fully  su};};*'st  that  FortSteilacoom  be  considere«l  a  temporary  estab- 
lishment until  a  proper  site  to  cover  the  head  of  the  sound  is  hereafter 
named.  1  coinu'ive  I'oint  Deliance,  on  the  east  shore  of  th«'  .sound,  some 
1«»  or  !-*(►  miles  to  the  north  of  Fort  Stei'.acoom,  as  a  propei-  site  for  this 
)tui'iM)se.  This  i)oint  ('()mnmnds  the  sound,  it  Itein,;,'  about  half  a  mile 
wide  to  the  opposite  shore;  the  blulV  is  some  80  feet  hii;ii  ;  a  sullicient 
back  country,  with  };()od  anchorajje  an<l  shores  for  wharfaj^e.  A  I»attery 
of  guns  in  ])osition  here  would  close  the  head  of  the  sound  vo  the  largest 
(leet.  The  inclosed  map  will  better  explain  to  the  (ienei-al-in  Chief  tiie 
advantages  of  this  position,  an«l  enable  him  to  .see  how  great  and  ui'geiit 
ai'c  the  necessitii's  |ti'esented  in  the  I,."i00  miles  of  coast  <>n  Fuget  .^oiiiid, 
retpiiring  vnrh  day  more  impt'riously  its  piopcr  defense, 

•  *«««#* 

I  would  respectfully  «all  thr  attention  of  our  GovernuuMit  to  the  fact 
tiiat  we  have  neither  a  ship  of  war  on  Piigt't  Sound  or  near»'r  tlian  Cali- 
lornia,  nor  is  there  a  gun  in  this  department  larger  tiian  a  (i  pounder. 
With  a  .sea(!oast  of  greater  extent  than  tliatof  the  Atlantic;  from  .Maine 


8S,S. 

.Aliircli 
orts  of 
tinent, 
shinj,'- 
copies 

fouiul 
valrj-, 
Town- 

Frmi- 
aniev, 
ily  10, 
Army, 
iMieral 
l)ivi«- 
f  Maj. 
c,  San 
of  tbo 
<,  com- 
I)  Geii- 
retary 

■ivaiit, 

<  ml. 


Sod. 

Mieral- 
st.s  oil 


itions, 
I's  for 
ore  re- 
estab- 
ivafti'r 
I,  some 
or  tliis 
a  mile 
I1i(!ieiit 
lattery 
arjxe.st 
iff  tlii^ 
ar;;eiit 


le  fact 
nCali- 
iimler. 
.Maine 


I 


FOUTiFICATlUNS    ri'OX    IM'<iKT    SOUND. 


(15 


l- 
10 


to  Florida  b«'Ion{;iii{;  to  tliisrommaiMl  aloiic,  with  a  populatio  •  dcpcrH 
iiij;  entirely  upon  coiiuiierco  for  tlu-ir  i'xist»Mic«',  tlie  only  joutcs  to  tlL„ 
country  as  yet  being  l)y  sea,  our  defonseless  position  all  inipos«>  upon 
nie  the  duty  ofurf^iujUf  a  speedy  action  tbi-  the  establi.sliineiit  of  i»ern>a- 
nent  woi  ';s  to  ])rotect  the  mouth  ol'  the  Colunihia  River  and  tin'  various 
sections  of  I'uget  ^outmI, 

In  the  mean  time  I  feel  assured  the  (ieneral-inChief  will  use  his  best 
etforts  to  secure  for  this  command  at  an  early  day  a  suitable  sup|»ly  of 
heavy  ordnance,  with  the  i)roper  ammunition,  that  the  means  of  defense 
may  be  available  in  the  event  of  a  ne(!essity  demanding  it. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

Wm.  S.  IIahnkv, 
BrigadicrGeneral,  CnmmnwUng. 

The   AS.SISTANT   ADJUTANT-(iEN'EUAL, 

Jleadqimrters  of  the  Army,  New  York  City. 

This  report  is  highly  interesting,  and  I  respectfully  invite  to  it  the 
Secretary's  attention. 

W INFIELD  Scott. 
August  29,  18.v.>, 

IJespectfulI}'  submitted  to  the  Secretarv  of  War. 

E.    J).   TOWNSENI), 

Ansit,tiiitt  Adjutant-General. 
Adjutant-General's  Office,  A»/f/»f««.'}l,  l.s.v.». 

Ofhcial. 

.1.  C.  Kelton, 

Assistant  Adjiitantdeneral. 

Adjutant-General's  Jffice,  May  8, 1888. 


Headquarters  Corps  of  Engineers, 

}Yashin(jton,  Xoremher  2',i,  I8<i7. 

General:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  reference  to  the  Chief 
of  Engineers,  for  remark,  of  the  letier  of  MaJ.  Gen.  II.  W.  Ilalleck,  com- 
manding Military  Division  of  the  Pacific,  of  the  l.lth  ultimo,  calling  the 
attention  of  the  War  Department  to  the  importance  of  mounting  some 
heavy  guns  on  Point  Detianc**,  Paget  Sound. 

I  recommentl  that  the  following  armament  be  provided  by  the  Ord- 
nance Departujent,  and  sent  as  soon  as  practicable  to  the  Pa<M(H;  coast: 

f'Mve  1.0-ineh  smooth  bore  guns  (two  with  center  and  thr»'e  with  front 
pintle  «!ariiages). 

Five  larg"  rifled  guns  (two  with  center  and  tlii'ee  with  front  pintle 
carriages),  fui-  w()rks  at  or  luar  Point  Dt'llancc,  at  the  narrows  oi  Puget 
Sound. 

Ten  l.jjiuth  smooth-1>ore  gnus  (two  witli  center,  eight  with  iVoiit 
pmtic  caniii^es),  tor  (i«'l'ensi's  of  eiitranci'  to  Cohiinbia  Uiver. 

I-'ive  iriinch  smoo'hbore  guns  (two  with  cent«'r  and  tiiiec  wi;li  front 
l)intU'  ciiiriiiiies). 

I'ive  liiij^e  nlled  guns  (tw(»  with  center  and  three  with  front  pintle 
cairi;iges)  for  defenses  at  San  Diego.  <'al. 

The  proper  impletiients  and  equipments  and   100  rounds  of  aniinuni- 
tion  foi'  eiicli  gun  to  W  sent  in  eacii  case. 
S.  Ex.  105 5 


('>{') 


K(Ji; nilCATIONS    ri'OX    IM<iKT    SOTNU. 


Till'  onliiiiiK-c  siimI  sii))])li(>.s  foi'  rii<;cr  SoiiikI  to  Ik;  sent  to  Slcilacooin, 
to  he  sttMctl  tlu'i'*'  ill  cliaryt'  of  tlu'  i'oniiiiiiinliii;,'  olliccr  of  the  ;iiurison; 
those  tor  tli«'  < 'oliiiiibia  liivci-  to  iNtiiit  Ailiiiiis,  and  tliosrt'ur  San  Die^^o 
to  that  liail)or;  in  each  ease  to  be  plaeed  in  eharj^e  of  the  ollicer  eoni- 
inandin;,'  tlie  (^anison. 

Instiiictions  eoveiin^j  this  j.eneral  sultjeet  liave,  from  time  to  lime, 
been  eoinmunieated  from  this  olliee  to  theenj;in»'er  otliecrs  on  the  I'aciitlc 
eoast  ;  Imt,  in  view  (»f  the  sjieeilie  eall  now  made  by  (icneral  Ilalleek, 
l)artienlar  instructions  will  be  sent  out  at  onee  to  the  iJoard  of  lOnjfi- 
ne«'rs  for  that  coast  to  jjrepare  projects  tor  temporary  batteries  at  the 
places  desi;inated  for  the  reception  of  the  ordnance;  spccilied  abctve,  to 
the  end  that,  if  tin;  occasion  re«iuin's  it  before  llic  jirepaiation  of  pj-r- 
nianent  detcnscs  at  those  i>oints,  the  temporary  works  may  l)e  prepared 
within  the  sliortest  ])()ssibl(;  time. 

This  provision  of  ordinince  and  of  projects  for  temporary  delenses  in 
advance  is  in  accordance  with  the  views  that  have  been  rcj^arded  as  most 
suitable  lor  years  past,  and  it  is  the  method  proposed  by  the  late  (len- 
eral  ToUen  in  his  report  upon  a  peisonal  examination  of  this  coast 
made  in  l.sr)«)-'(50. 

There  ai'c  now  at  San  I'rancisco  twenty  l.l-inch  {^uns  and  several 
large  ;illes  (i'arrotts);  but  I  do  not  reccunmend  that  any  of  these  be 
removed  li'om  that  place  to  be  approiiriate«l  to  the  uses  contenii)lated 
herein. 

''''»y  letter  of  (lencral  llalleck  is  hciewith  returned. 
^\.i.y  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  A.  Htm  I'll  rtKvs, 
Ijritj.  licit,  of  Engineers,  i'ouiinnndinfj. 

General  V.  S.  (iRANT. 

Commit lul'nui  Armlts  vf  (lie  I'liiled  tSliitcs, 

iSivyctari/  «;/"  War  lul  interim. 

Onicial. 

J.  C.  Ki:i,T(»N, 
Assistant  A<IJni(int(j(nrrah 
Al)JrTANT-ClEM:KAL*S  OFFICE,  Mai/  8,  1S8S. 


I 


[C'ontUlciiliiil.] 

llKADgrAirrKH.s  31ilitai!v  J)ivision  of  the  L'acieic, 

San  Francisco,  (.'<(/.,  Xovemhcr  -'1,  18()7. 

(lENERAL:  I  understand  that  the  IJoanl  of  J'^n^ineers  for  the;  l*acilic 
coast  havt'  ali'cady  made,  or  are  about  to  make,  a  report  on  the  defeiuses 
of  I'ujiel  Sound  and  our  northern  frontier.  NN'ithout  intendinj,^  in  any 
manner  to  infringe  n])on  the  duties  and  functions  of  the  Corps  of  Kngi- 
neeis,  I  deem  it  incumbent  on  me  as  the  comnmnder  of"  the  Military 
Division  (>f  the  I'acilic.  as  an  exolbcer  of  the  Jlngineer  Corps,  and  as  the 
lii'st  ollicer  who  ever  investigated  and  reportecl  upon  the  military  de- 
tenses  of  this  coast,  to  «>tTer  to  the  War  Dt'partment  the  results  of  my 
long  residence  in  the  country  and  very  careful  study  on  this  subject. 

As  stated  in  my  letter  of  l.")th  ultimo,  1  think  that  Point  Detiance 
shonld  be  innnediately  fortified  with  temporary  works,  armed  with  heavy 
guns,  so  as  to  prevent  the  jiassage  of  any  hostile  man-of-war.  1  think 
this  should  be  done  witlnmt  any  further  delay. 


KnliTIIMCATlO.VS    ITON    ITiiHT    sol'M). 


67 


I  do  not  tliiiik  that  any  pciiinuM'nt  fortitlcations  slionld  In*  planiu'd  or 
constrncfcd  in  I'li^ct  Sound,  or  ;iii\  of  the  i'lianncls  l«M<lin;;  to  it.  Oar 
trnc  poli(;y  on  tliis  coast  is  to  aninirc  llritish  ('olnnil>ia,  and  lorlitv  [\u^ 
liarhor  of  ICs(|ninianlt.  This  \v(Mihl  control  the  .Straits  of  I'lic.a  and  all  it.s 
auxi'iary  or  ilcpcndcnt  watcis.  Hut  in  the  mean  time  our  uiililary  an<l 
naval  policy  in  those  waters  must  l»e  ollensive  and  not  delensive.  ^^'u 
want  I'oint  Delianco  tbrtified  simply  to  enable  us  to  have  vessels  at 
()l,\mpia  and  Steilacooin  tor  th(>  transportation  of  troops  and  supplies 
in  case  of  war. 

Verv  res|»eetfnllv,  voiir  oliedieiit  servant. 

II.  W.  IlAi.i.r.rK. 
MaJDrdcmi'iiL  (JDumtinilinii. 


The  Ad.HTANTC.KNERAL  ^)l•    TUV.   AUMV, 


Ivesi)ectfully  .siil>niitte(l  to  (Jeueral  (Inint. 


K.  I).  Towns  KM). 


Assist  (III  f  Ailjitfi'  ntiliurrttl. 


Ai:».U  TAM'-CJknkuat.'s  Offick,  Perrmhrr  IS,  1S( 


M  . 


The  Secretary  of  \Var  desires  CnMieral  (Irant   to  ;;ive  his  ojiinion  on 


the  within  recommendations, 


War  Dkfartmint,  January  2'2,  1.S08. 


KD.    SfllRIVKK, 

Iiisprrh)r(i''lirr<il. 


Tiesjiectfnlly  returned  to  the  Secretary  of  War.     f  concur  in  the  reeoin- 


mendations  of  the  Chief  of  l.nLnneer.s. 


nF-AI)i>t:AR'J'Ki:s  AUMV   L'MTI-^U  STATES, 


r.   S.   (llIANT, 

(if'nentl. 


-fauxary  L'l,  1808. 
Appi'ovcd  liy  the  Secretary  of  \^'ar,  -laniiaiy  117,  !.S(»8. 


Olticial 


Hi).  Scilliivi.it, 
fnsiievtnr-iii'nvra!. 

J.  C.  Ki:i.T()N, 
Assistitiit  Ailjntau ^ (tcurral. 


ADrtTANT-CiliNERAl/S   OFFICE,  May  S,  ISSS. 


IlF.vlXjrAlM  I'-US    MlLlTAUV    DIVISION'    Ol"    Till',    rACIIIC. 

San  Franciscii,  CuL,  Ainjusf'.^  180(1, 
(li:NKUAr, :  On  my  return  from  an  cxtentled  tour  of  inspection  in 
Nevada,  Idaho.  ()re}j;on,  and  Washington  Territory,  I  found  >oiir  letter 
of  .Inly  10,  inclosing'  (icucial  Dclalield's  a;i|»Iication  ot'  Scpicmlier  7, 
180,"»,  for  eeitain  military  reservations  in  Washiu'^ton  Territory.  I  re- 
plied hy  teleiiiaph,  acc(»rdiu;;"  to  your  direction,  I  hat  I  saw  no  ohjcctious 
tomakiii}^  I  lie  reservations  asked  ftu-,  althoniih  I  con.sidered  mr.st  of  them 
useless. 

l"erha])s  1  was  hasty  in  sa\  in;;' there  wort'  no  (ilijections  to  makint; 
these  reservations,  it  has  oeciined  lo  me  that  as  some  ol"  those  really 
reciuired  aie  now  owned  liy  individuals,  the  fact  of  thtMi-  l)einj4'  «lesijiiiatetl 


68 


FORTIFICATIONS    l.'l'ON    PIJGET    SOUND. 


by  the  Pn-sMU'iit  ns  militiirv  icstTN  atioiis  may  imliico  tlu^  owucih  to  aHk 
I'xoihitiiiit  prices  lor  tlicir  laud.  I'or  example  :  I  am  iiilormed  that  the 
setth'i' at  \\  ilson's  I'oiiit,  eiitimu'e  to  A«lmiralty  Inh't,  lias  pei(»'(rte«l  his 
title,  and  has  oti'eied  to  sell  at  u  low  rate;  but  uow  tiudiu^'  that  it  la 
wanted  lor  toi titl<-atious  he  will  probably  raise  his  pi'i(;e. 

iu  uiy  opiuiou  the  first  aud  uiost  imptutaut  poiut  to  be  tbrtilied  is  the 
entiaiiee  to  Admiralty  lidet.  I''or  this  purpose  eartheru  Itatteries  of 
heavy  jiuus,  like  F(ut  Stevens,  at  tlu',  MH)Uth  of  the  Columbia  Itiver, 
Hhould  he  eousnu(;ted  without  delay  at  I'oiut  Wilson  and  Admiralty 
Head.  I'erhaps  <'ventually  another  should  be  eonstiin-ted  on  Marrow- 
Ktone  Point.  On  these  three  points  all  the  fortitications  required  for 
the  protection  of  Admiialty  Inlet  ean  be  i-onstinc-tcMl  ;  and  these  points 
ou^iht  to  he  secured  and  works  commenced  without  furthei-  tlelay. 

Sluadd  a  !ui\y-yard  la*  «'stablished  in  I'uyet  SSouiul  (which  I  think  is 
lujnlly  ]»robable),  some  batleiies  may  be  I'eiiuiicil  on  the  Narrows  at 
I'oint  Defiance,  «'tc. 

The  reservations  rccouMuended  (ui  Deception  Passage  will  probably 
not  be  use<l.  The  land  on  the  north  and  south  sides  is  too  hi;;h  aud 
inaccessible.  The  island  in  the  passu;'*"  is  well  lo<*ated  for  its  (leleuse, 
but  no  vessel  <;an  lie  by  cu'  approach  it  with  safety,  on  account  of  the 
currents  wluch  run  with  almost  the  velocity  of  the  Nia;;ara  River  below 
the  fails.  Moieover,  it  is  a  barn-n  rock.  The  otiu'r  islands  aie  too  dis- 
tant. The  northei'u  point  of  Widbey's  Island  (marked  A,  aud  shaded 
black  on  the  sketch)  nuiy  be  appioaehed  with  safety  trt)m  the  east.  It 
is  saiuly  soil  aud  covered  with  timber.  A  l>atteiy  here  of  a  few  heavy 
puns  lirin;;  across  and  iij)  the  jjassaye  would  etlectmdly  close  it.  No 
vessel  can  stop  or  anithor  in  the  passap',  and  it  is  at  all  times  hazardous 
to  ])ass  tlii(ai^h  it,  unless  under  steam  aud  moving  with  grt'ut  spee«l. 
Otherwise  it  woidd  bo  dashed  against  the  rocks  by  the  whirls  aud 
tremend(uis  rush  of  tide-currents. 

Possibly,  at  some  future  time,  it  may  be  uecps.sary  to  fortify  Port  Dis- 
covery. Washin^ftou  Harbor,  New  Dungeness,  and  Port  Anueb's  are 
not  worth  fortifyin;;-.  The  <!ustom-house  was  i)laced  at  the  latter  port 
as  a  matter  of  private  speculation,  to  enhance  the  value  of  town  lots. 
It  should  be  returned  to  Port  Townsi'ud. 

1  respectfully  recomuuMul  that  an  ollicor  be  designated  to  mark  out 
the  reservations  I  have  imiicated  above,  and  that  he  be  authorized  to 
contract  tor  the  purchase  of  such  as  are  of  i)rivate  ownership,  subject  of 
course  to  the  appi'oval  of  the  War  Department.  Tweuty  years  luive 
already  elapsed  since  these  waters  came  intoour  possession,  and  notbin<f 
has  yet  l)een  doiu'  towanls  fortifying:  them. 

Very  resi)ectfidly,  your  tibcdient  servant, 

Jl.    \V.   IlALI.ECK, 

M<(jor(ieneraI. 
Adjutant  GeiuM-al  H.  D.  Townsknd, 

Wanhington,  I).  C. 

lU'si>ectfulIy  r«'feri'ed  to  (leueral  Humphreys,  Chief  Engineer,  L'.  S. 
Army,  for  remark. 

K.  1).  Townsknd, 
A  usistd n  t  A  ilju tu )t t-  GcHcnd. 
Ai).JiTTANT  (1i:.nkual\s  Oi'i'iCK,  t^t'ptcmln'i-  S,  1800. 

OtHcial. 

J.  C  Kklton, 
AHsistaiit  A«r/uhtnt-(jentral. 
Aij.jutantGknkhai.'s  Office,  May  8,  1888. 


s. 


it 


i 


KnlMIMCAl  Ions    ll-oN    lU'CJKT    S.HND. 


t?AN    FitANCl.SCc,  (."AI...  -//////  ."»,  l.S.j.j. 
Milj.   1^  1).  ToWNSKNii, 

ANsif(t(i)it  A(IJiittinf(lt)ifya},  l\ii[f\r  J)rp<irf)nnit  : 

Tlu'  Miit!crNimnMl,  Ciiiit.  (i('(ir;:('  Stoiiciiiini.  Scc<iii(l  ('aviiliy.  ;iii(l 
J"'iist  Lifiil.  \N'.  II.  ('.  W'liil  ili;4;.  Coi'lis  of  Ijij^iiircrs,  li;i\iii;^  iiccoiil- 
jtlislu'd  flu>  duly  iissi;;ii('(l  tlinii  hy  Ifitcior  ilif  <  "oiiiiniiiMliiii^Cu'iH'nil 
<tt"  flic  I'Mcilic  1  )<'](;ii  tiiiciit.  (liMcil  \  iiiH(iii\  cr.  May  '_'."».  ls."),*»(a  nipy  ol" 
wliifli  '\y  licrrio  iippciKltMr,  i('|Mnt  !is  ((lilijws  : 

l,rii\iiiu  N'aiiroiivrr  May  !!>;.  wc  rracliiMl  Olyiiipia.  tli«'  lica'l  nf  navi- 
<j;aliuii  («n  Pii^ct  Sdiiinl,  May  .'!!.  Tliis  plarc  is  tlic  ('apilal  ni  tlif  i'l'iii- 
ttiiy  ar.d  ilif  piiiitipal  town.  'I'll*'  icarcst  iiiililaiy  post  is  Stciia«'tKtin, 
iit  the  villa;;*'  nfiliat  naiiif.  a  Miiall  scttU'iiM'iit  nii  Mm'  soiiiid,  -S  fiiilcs 
IVitm  Olyiiipia  Ity  wati-r  and  J  I  by  land  \Vc  arrived  lln-rf  «»n  tlic  l>t 
olihinc.  'I'lic  i»(»st  is  located  1  mile  iVoni  the  villa;;e,  in  an  exccciliiiuly 
lu'aiitil'id  situation,  it  CMiiiniunicales  with  the  !andin;r  by  an  excellent 
road,  which  is  ;;ood  at  all  seasons  of  the  \ear.  'I'his  place  was  loiinerly 
a  la  nn  ot'  tlie  I'li^ct  Sound  A;;iiculluial  ( 'onipan>  ,  a  l)ranch  ot  the  i  lud- 
son  Day  (.'oiupany.  Additions  havclicen  nia<lc  to  tin-  Ic;;  Icuses  of  the 
laiin  sullicient  to  atloid  aeco'uinodation  fottw  •  tmpanics.  h'en;  is  still 
])aid  lo  the  I'.  A.  ( 'onipany  lor  these  huildiiis.;'',  anionnlin;;  t"  nearly 
.*<r)(ll»  per  year.  We  are  informed  hv  .Mr.  Mason,  secretary  of  I  lie  Terri- 
tor.N',  that  t  he  conipau_\'s  title  to  t  his  loj'alil  \  is  \  «'ry  fpies!  ioiiaMc.  'i'his 
involves  their  riulil  to  collect  lent,  ami  we  leconnncnd  an  exaniinatioii 
otthis  niatt«'r.  It  has  heen  pioposcd  to  renp>\e  this  post  to  a  p()sitioii 
r>  miles  distant,  Uncuu  as  the  "  ( lardcns.''  i^e  clncl'  reason  for  su«;h 
<'han;;e  is  the  couvenieliceol  I  he  post  gardens.  v\  hich  can  not  lie  made  Ut 
the  harracUs  from  t  lie  nature  ot  the  soil.  As  i  he  troops  Iia\e  now  a  res<  r- 
^  at  ion  at  the  proposed  spot  and  cultivate  a  ;iardeu  there,  we  do  not  think 
there  is  sulhcii  iii  reason  to  justity  tiic  expen.'»e  of  removal,  the  i  red  ion 
of  n»'W  iiiiildin;;s,  and  the  increase  of  distance  from  the  laniiin;^.  more 
♦'Specially  since  ii  is  prohahle  that  as  the  country  hec.imes  more  settU-d 
the  post  of  Steilacoom  will  he  altandoned  altoL;cther  and  c  tai)lishcd 
either  ianher  to  t  he  east  towaids  The  Cascade  Kan^^e  and  the  Indian 
triites  or  I'arthcr  muthward  upon  the  sound.  rhou;.vh  we  do  not  re;.:ai-d  it 
:is  u  ])i'rmanetit  militar.\  position,  it  is  tlioui^ht  iha'  the  post  mav  he  con- 
tinued with  ad\  ant  a  .^c  for  the  present,  at  least  until  the  stipulations  of 
the  treaties  made  by  (iovenior  8te\eiiK  with  tic  Indians  of  the  Terri- 
tory are  cariied  (uif.  Some  apprcheiisioii  appe;  i>,  to  exist  lest  they  may 
j>rov«'  restive  and  uniul\  u  hen  retpiiicd  to  remove  to  their  reservations. 
Ill  any  event  the  etrect  of  a  milit;vry  jiost  upon  the  natives  of  tli'» 
sound  is  very  jii'cat,  and  this  w  ill  serve  as  a  sullicient  checii.  I'or  its 
jirt'seiit  purposes,  imue  particularl.v  as  to  our  I  iidiaii  situations,  we  are  of 
opinion  that  no  more  tliaii  one  company  is  necessary.  Arran;:emeiits 
lia\  iny  been  made  b\  the  (piai'i'iniaster.  Lieutenant  Nuitcut  fI"oiirtli 
Infantryj,  Ibi'  our  conveyance  tiirou;4h  the  s.iiini  .  wclefl  Steilacoom 
thine  .J.  Kefeirin;:'  to  the  accompanyin;.;-  skrieh.ihe  red  line  upon  it 
shows  our  route.  I'uj^et  Sound  is  the  yelieial  name  applied  follie  ;;reaf 
bod\  of  American  waters  lyiii;;  southeast  t.t  \  .iiiconv  ei's  Isj.ind.  It  in 
e(»mprised  between  rlio  forty-.sevciith  and  t'ortyiiiiith  parallels  of  lati' 
tinU'.  Its  outlets  to  the  ocean  i  re  li\  the  sir.otsof  .luiin  ile  I-'iic.i  oil 
the  west,  and  thidii;;h  the  ( lulf  «>f  <Ieor;iia,  ii.\  .lojinston'>  Stiail.s  and  liie 
north  t'lid  of  '.'.tiicoiiver's  Island  <ui  tin'  iiorthwcM.  Its  shores  are  over 
l,r»(l(>  miles  ill  extent  and  receivf  the  waters  ol  the  iiasiii  l\iu^:  between 
the  cl.aiii  ol  the  Cascade  on  iiu-  ••as|  and  the  (H\mpia  ian;:c  on  tin' 
west,  l-'ortlie  numlter,  variet.N , and  capacity  of  its  liart>or.s  it  is  nn- 
eipniled.      No     »f  her  K  iiown  arm  ol  (he  sea  |<ossesses  such   ;ireat    di'ptll 


r(»lM'll'I(ATl(iNS   vvns    vrt.v.T   sorxD. 


of  Wiitt'i*,  .siK'li  t'nM'doiii  troiii  rocks,  slioals  iiii<I  (Mlicr  ohstriictions,  ainl 
siicli  m't<'i;il  facility  <^l'  iiii\  i;^atii)n.  Sliips  of  any  (li'aii>ilit  may  li«' 
witliiii  a  lew  (cct  ol  its  slioi'cs.  Tlic  ;;it'at  liscaiid  fall  of  the  titles,  iVoiu 
1LM<»  L'l'  tict,  and  the  snionthncss  of  the  waters  afford  advantages  i'-n- 
the  repairs  of  \  i-ssels  npoii  t  he  beaches.  Theconnt  ly  foruliich  it  fo>ins 
the  cfniinnuiic.ttioii  totlit^sea  is  I'icii  in  inexhaiist  ili.'e  foicsrs  of  linJu'i', 
lar^^e  beds  of  coal  and  otln  r  mineral  iirodn('tioiis,  line  lands,  tcinp -rate 
clinnite  and  ;iliinidance  of  water.  Its  islands  aic  reniajUaiilc  io!  their 
nnndier.  beauty,  and  res  iirces,  i  is  slioies  |)re>enl  Ibrthcir  whole  ex- 
tent SI  succession  ofdce|t  landlocked  liarbors,  perfeclly  acce->iltle.  di- 
\  ided  fnuii  each  of  her  by  peninsni.is.  pronionlitries  and  islands.  <>i'  thw 
northuesi  lies  the  i^rt-at  island  ot  \'anc(»n\  «'r,  .'!(»(>  miles  in  lcn;.;tli,  unfor- 
tunately a  for«'iy;n  po-session.  A  jilance  at  the  accdiiipanyin,^"  slcetcth 
will  show  the  position  (»f  tin'  s(»iind  and  its  channels  ol  access.  One  of 
the  most  in;iMtrtiin!  <»!'  these  is  known  as  the  Narrows,  and  i>  thf  only 
eoinninnication  '  t\\eeii  tiie  upper  or  southein  watersand  those  towards 
the  north.  ''  . -.  j  .issa;;e  is  a  narrow  srrait  aliont  ll!  mdes  Ion;;  ami 
var.Niii;;  \n\\t  '..eelourths  of  a  nnle  to  -  <m'  .'i  nnlcs  in  width.  The 
isliore.s  are  iiohl  blnfl's  of  <;lay,  of  an  a\eia;;e  hei;^!!!  ol  OO  feet.  It  has 
many  adniirai>le  positions  for  defense,  of  which  i>y  far  the  niosi  im- 
portant is  Toini  Detiance.  'J'he  naniral  ad\;Mita;^es  of  this  position 
are  \try  ;ireat  ;  it  is  susceptilde  of  beinj;'  easily  and  stronj;l.\  tbrti- 
lied,  and  peri'ectly  commamlin;;' all  approaches  to  the  upper  sound;  it 
jndiecis  the  svateis  about  Sledaco(nii  and  (Jlympia  and  those  known 
as  North  J>ay  and  ('arri's  Inlet.  In  the  evenr  of  the  establishment  of 
arsenals  or  ot  hci'  <  ioveiiiment  works  in  tlie  '!'(  iiitory,  the  occupation  of 
Point  Deliance  is  of  the  last  importance.  We  rccotunu'inl  that  imme- 
diate steps  i»e  taken  to  secure  a  reservation  of  at  least  ;{LM)  acies  at  this 
I)hic«'  for  nnlitary  purposes.  Tlie  sooner  it  is  done  the  better,  for  obvi- 
(uis  reasons.  The  waters  of  the  ujjper  souml  may  be  approa<  hed  by  a 
western  iidet  called  Hood's  (Jamil,  but  a  poita^^je  by  land  separates  this 
from  North  Jhiy,  and  the  advam-e  of  an  enemy  in  that  dii'ection  mijflit 
readdy  be  airestcd.  When  the  icmoval  of  tlie  post  at  Steilacoom  l»e- 
(•(Hues  lU'cessaiy,  either  1».\  <hanjfe  in  oi  •  '"  'ian  or  forei^jn  relations, wo 
su;:im'st  that  a  poition  ol  its  jiarjison  at  .^  >  should  occupy  I'oint  l>ell- 
am-e.  Ihdov  the  Nairows  lies  NN'hidbey's  Island,  a  lai'^c  autl  fertile  pieces 
of  laud  already  taken  npaml  occupie(l  by;.ettlcis  thron;^hout  nearly  its 
whole  extent.  This  islaml  divides  the '.(<und  into  two  lar^ic  chanru'ls, 
eftlled  I'osse.vsitui  Souml  on  the  east  am!  .\dnnralty  Inlet  on  the  west. 
On  the  \\('St(rn  shore  of  .\dnuialty  Inlet  aie  tonnd  the  line  harlxus  of 
Vuvt  (iaudde  and  Port  laidlow,  upon  each  of  whitdi  excelhuit  sawmills 
Inive  been  ('iccted  and  ate  in  operation.  .\t  the  jiinetiou  of  Adndralty 
Inlet  with  the  Straits  of  l-'uca  i.stlu'  adniiralile  harbor- ol  I'on  Dis- 
covf-ry  ami  the  rtiadstead  of  I'oit  Tow  nsend.  'I'he  latter'  is  settled 
ami  is  the  station  of  ilie  ri-venirc  iMitlci'  (ur  this  coast.  IJetweiMi 
th«'  (inlf  of  (leoruia  and  the  .Snails  ni'  |'"iica  -ire  two  ^i'rei.t  charr- 
iii'ls,  the  Straits  of  liaro  on  llie  wesi  and  of  lio.-ario  on  the  east, 
se|(ai'atcd  by  the  ar chipela^^o.  a  uionp  of  small  islainb  lorniin;:  a  \ ci-y 
impoilan;  feature  of  the  sound.  The  title  of  these  is  in  dispute  lie- 
tweeii  Ihe  i;ii;;li,s|i  ami  Aiiierican  ( lover  iiim'Hts.  riierc  can.  however', 
be  no  leasoiiable  doiiitt  as  to  tin'  \alidit\  of  <mii-  claim.  The  natural 
and  iliiect  ship  thaiiiiel.  the  treaty  boundary,  is  the  Sti'aiis  ol  llai'o. 
No  Vessel  b(  iind  loi'  Ihe  (liilf  of  ((eoiyia  would  lake  the  loiryer,  nar- 
rower', and  ,.iore  intricate  passa;:e  (»f  llosario  Straits.  In  coiisideiin;j 
the  sniiicct  of  I  he  deleiist'  ol  the  sound,  these  i. si  a  in  U  are  impoilani  am] 
We  shall  a;;ain  biielly  reiaii'  tti  tlrein.     Nor'tht'ast  tVcnn   them  is  Ihdlilij^- 


roHTiricATioNs  ri'oN  rr(;KT  soinh. 


Tl 


liiiin  l»ay.  ii  liir^iC  liiivcii  ofciisv  iicccss  by  the  IJttsario  St»;iit^.  It«*  sliofos 
jin?  ill  ;;«'ii»'ral  lii<;li  and  ioiikI'  laml  heavily  t  iiiilu'it'd  and  (tf  lut  Itiddiiiy 
ai»|)eaian(;»'.  Our  most  nortlicily  scttltMiiiMits  aro  line,  and  its  latitiuU* 
is  Imt  littU*  loss  than  fuity-nine  dcfirccs.  This  htcaliry  is  chifrly  rmiark- 
ublc  :ind  \aliial»it'  U)V  its  exlciislM'  coal  beds,  Niiiihmoiis  \('iiis  an* 
Ibnnd  exposed  on  the  l>hilf  sIkmc.  oiiteiopitinji'  in  insnly  an  *'asieily  di- 
rection, and  havinu  a  dip  to  the  iiuithwai'd  of  linty-tive  de^-nes.  This 
<M>al  has  been  relciicd  to  the  teiiiary  sy>teiii,  and,  like  ail  coal  «>!'  that 
l)eriod,  is  interior  to  that  (tf  the  j;reat  eual  measures:  it  is,  ho\vr\  ei,  ex- 
<'ellent  Ibr  doinestie  purposes,  ;iiid  is  eiieaply  and  readil.v  pioeiiicil. 
Several  shafts  hav  e  been  opened  and  miners  are  at  pi'esciil  at  work. 
No  one  in  dese,ribin>4-  tiie  sound  can  tail  to  mention  those  two  lofty 
ran;;('s  of  mnimtains  on  the  east  and  west,  which  capped  with  eternal 
snow  and  visible  iVom  all  parts  (d'  its  waleis.  lorm  one  of  the  most  re- 
iiuirkuble  features  of  the  country.  .Moiini  Olympus,  hi^hesi  of  the  east 
ranuc;  Mount  IJak cr,  .Mount  Stewart,  Mount  St.  Ilelcus,  altove  all  Mount 
liannier  of  the  Cascade  chain,  present  e\--'n  to  those  lamiliar  with  tiie 
liiountaiii   screiiery  «)f  Mexico,  views  of  unri\aled  beauty  and  .grandeur. 

With  this  des<Mipti(Mi  of  I'un'et  Sound  we  will  examine  the  siibje<'t  of 
its  defenses  with  rej^ard  to  the  Indians  and  to  lbrei;in  powers. 

The  natives  of  the  .sound,  inhabitinj,''  its  short's  and  islands,  consist 
of  about  1  wcuty-t wo  ditfi'rent  tribes  or  bands,  more  or  less  allietl  by 
iiitermarriaji*'.  siiidlarity  of  lanj;na.^'e  and  |U'opimpnty.  In  ^icncral 
they  are,  inollensi\»'.  The  members  ot  a  siii^ile  band  .seldom  i'xceed 
forty  in-  lilty.  They  live  almost  entirely  on  lish  and  tiieir  canoes  Ibrm 
their  chief  wealth.  'I'hey  leatl  awandeiiii.u'  life,  sliil'l  in;;' their  lod;;cs 
from  slnue  to  slnue  according,''  to  the  tishin;^'  season.  l)e;;iaded  in  their 
liabits,  poorly  armed,  and  standin^i-  in  {^icat  awe  of  t  he  whites,  little 
tlil?!'>.  •  is  to  lie  leared  litmi  them.  'J'hey  seem  aiixi(uis  Ibr  friend  1,\  icla- 
tioitti :  I  atiiy  of  them  live  in  the  nei^ihborhood  of  the  settler  and  freely 
liire  their  services  to  him  as  boatmen  and  laborers.  The  elfcci  of  troops 
«ui  these  people  is  very  ^ireat,  and  a  small  Ibrce  is  sniliciciit  to  kcfp 
them  in  check. 

It  is  cidelly  from  the  Indians  of  the  north,  livin;^'  in  the  Ihiti.-Ii  '\\d 
Itiissian  |»ossessioiis,  that  dan;.it'r  to  our  )>eople  is  to  be  a]ipiehentied. 
J''or  the  pii!p;!S"  ol  obtaining;'  ndiable  kiio'.rled^ic  of  these  Indians,  we 
visited  Vancouver.'  Island,  where  we  were  recei\«'d  at  \'ictoria,  the 
l»rincipal  depot  of  the  Hudscui  \\:\\  Company,  with  ;.;reat  kindness  by 
ids  excellency  (ioveriior  J)(»u^ias.  The  ollicers  of  the  lludsoa  Hay 
(.'ompaiiy  readily  {jave  us  all  the  inlbrmati(»n  in  t.ieir  power.  TIm' 
northern  tribes  a|tpear  to  be  of  a  supeiior  race  in  Mitelli;:ence  and 
i'oiiraye.  They  are  numeidiis,  brave,  and  warlike.  Ti'tir  number  in 
tiie  liritish  ami  IJnssian  territory  is  moder.mdy  computed  ai  Iti.iMiu. 
They  are  noted  for  their  wt'alth,  in,ii<'nuity,  and  darin;;  na\  i;;alioii. 
Their  skill  and  woi  kiiiaiiship  is  shown  U)  advaiita^ic  in  their  caiioe.>, 
the  model  of  which,  nearly  identical  with  (hat  of  our  clippers,  i>  the 
admiration  of  all  saihds.  These  canoes  are  the  liue.««t  boats  in  the 
world,  ami  are  ot'  all  si/es,  Iroiii  the  small  river  canoe  to  the  ^ficat 
war  boat  of  8b  to  KKI  leet  in  len;"tli,  hollowed  from  a  sin;;le  tree  ol  the 
j-'iant  forests  of  the  muth.  I''or  ex(|uisiie  linish  ami  beauty  .-f  iikmIcI. 
caiiacity,  spe»'d,  and  wcatherly  (pialilies,  these  lar;^c  canoes  surpass 
niiythiiij^  we  iiave  seen.  I'ropelh-d  by  .")(>  to  (i(»  paddles,  provided  with 
lar^^i'  arm  chests  abundantly  snpplie<l  and  coiisianlly  in  itidcr.  a  fleet 
of  these  Itoats  is  trnl>  fbifiiidalde.  They  lia\«'  been  known  to  capture 
lar^'e  xewiHels;  they  readily  make  coast jiij;'  \'oya;;'es  of  from  I  to  7<Mi 
mill's,  and   in   pursuit  of  tlie  whale  they  fearlessly  put  ()ut  t<»  sea.     X\  «• 


72 


lOKTiKiiATIONS    ll'OX    ITfU/r  -SOl'M). 


lijul  a  line  nppoitiiiiity  to  obscivc  tlu'iii  miiiiitclv.  A  \\ovt  of  S  liii'<;o 
caiioi's  of  tlic  Foil  8iiiipsoM  liitliaiis  caim*  into  N'icloria  |[arl>ot' wliilo 
we  wfic  llierr.  Two  «»f  thr'ii  were  li'oiii  SO  to  1(KI  Irct  in  l('ii;rlli  ami 
(•allied  from  .')(>  to  <!0  Indians  each,  men  and  women,  with  their  arms 
and  elVeets.  These  natixes  were  warndy  and  neatly  chul,  eh'aiily  in 
their  |»ersons,  and  of  line  appearance.  Tin'  women  wen^  rather  pretty, 
and  dressed  in  civilized  fashion,  even  toshoesaiid  stocdiinys.  The  men 
weie  hujic  in  frame  and  stroii-ily  built,  and  were  all  armed  with  the  Hud- 
son 15ay  musket,  a  strong"'  ami  elfe(;tive  weapon.  We  observed  that  their 
arm  chest  contained  an  extra  siipi>ly  of  loaded  }jnns.  As  the  remainder 
of  our  Journey,  «lurin;i  whi(^li  we  weic  «'xposed  to  some  severe  weather 
was  i)erlorined  in  «»ne  of  these  lar^e  canoes,  we  can  speak  from  experi- 
etice  of  their  weutherly  qualities.  Tiie  ^ireat  skill  displayed  in  their 
mana^reiiienr  was  a  constant  subject  of  a<lmiration. 

The  i»ri;icipal  northern  tribes  whidi  have  visited  the  sound  are  the 
Ton{jas«,of  theStikine  Hiver;  the  IIai-daii,of  (^iieen  ('harlotte's  Islantl  j 
and  the  Chinusyans,  of  Fort  Simjjson,  latitude  ">4  (b'j;re«vs  40  minutes. 
Tiiese  are  all  powerful  tribes,  embracing  numerous  bands.  Some  idea 
may  be  formeii  of  thn  power  of  the  last  named  trom  a  fact  of  which  (lov- 
ernor  J )ou<ilas  assures  lis.  Ih-  has  counted  at  one  time  «)u  the  l)ea<;h 
about  Fort  Simpson  1,57V  canoes,  all  belonjiin^-  to  but  one  lind  of  the 
Chinusyans.  Upon  Vancouver's  Island,  on  the  east  side,  are  s(»me  ~t,i)i){y 
or  (»,(M)0 of  various  tribes — Kwah-Kuriotts,  I'chultas,  and  Kawit«;hiis — 
who  occasionally  com(>  up  the  sound  in  small  ])arties,  and  on  the  main 
opjiosile  iierha]»s  as  many  more.  We  are  iniormed  by  the  (Jovernor 
that  these  Indians  do  not  c«»me  sout!:  for  the  purpose  of  trade.  They 
do  all  their  barter  with  the  ui>per  tradiiij^'  posts.  Their  object  is  in 
fieneial  theft.  He  ai)|>rehemls  that  they  will  bec<Mue  more  and  more 
troublesome  unless  measr.res  are  taken  to  )uevent  visits.  The  Hudson 
I>ay  (Company  Inm  no  ))ower  to  do  this.  The  comjKiny  is  jK'rhaps  able 
to  i)rotect  itself,  and  this  only  by  the  exere'ise  «)f  the  utmost  vigilance. 
Its  posts  are  stronjily  fortitied  stocka«les,  with  tiank  defenses,  and  are 
kept  constantly  <losed  and  guarded.  But  one  Indian  is  admitted  at  a 
time  to  trade.  The  terribb^  lesson  of  Mac-kiuaw  has  not  b<«en  forjiotten. 
Many  times  these  forts  havi"!  been  bcNiep'd  and  lives  have  l)een  lost. 
Their  intluence.  which  is  un<loubte<lly  yreat,  has  been  obtained  rather 
by  judicious  p<»licy  and  careful  dealinjrs  than  by  a  display  of  force. 
In  addition,  it  is  upon  the  company  that  the  tribes  depend  for  their 
sup|)lies  of  ammunition,  <-lothin;.;.  tobacco,  and  tools.  This  iuHiience 
has  several  times  been  exerti-d  lor  tlh-  benefit  and  prote(!tion  «»f  our 
citizens,  luit  a  display  of  our  own  power  !••  altsdiutely  uee«'ssary  in  tiie 
Noithwi'st  I'oi  the  security  of  the  T»'rritor\.  !)iniculti«*s  have  already 
occurred  wliieli  iii.i>  lead  lo  yrave  results.  Morj*  than  a  year  since  a. 
Tonj^ass  Indian  was  killed  in  the  Tenitoiy  liy  a  white  man,  wlieilier 
justitialtly  oi  not  we  ar«*  unable  to  say.  In  eonsnpience,  a  year  a^-o  I  wo 
iar^ie  war  <-anoes  of  the  Tonjia.ss  tril>e  <rame  down,  allaeked  llie  settle- 
ment (tf  l>ellin},'liam  l»a\ .  kiliol  two  white  men.  broke  into  and  pliindercd 
li(»u.4'>,  and  threw  the  wiiole  «'oast  into  ;iieat  alarm.  The  dwellings 
of  the  sefl  lers  beiny  usually  at  yreat  distaneis  apart  and  their  cDinmon 
means  id  inte-.'conise  heini^f  ilinost  eiitivelv  by  w.ih-r,  the  dillifulties  of 
eoiu-eiiti  at  ion  and  delense  aie\er\  j^reaf.  and  with  ihe  ample  means 
and  iiiunliers  at  command  o|  tlu'  enemy  his  power  to  ilo  niisclin-r  put- 
portionately  increased. 

It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  in  event  n|  an  oniiu'eak  tlie  northern 
Indians  are  able  to  exterminate  every  whiti-  man  dwellinfiim  ihe  wateis 
ot    i'nj;vt  .Sound.      It  is  evident  that  any  force  stiiti<»iied  in  this  >  o  'nir> 


r 


^»^ 


FORTIFICATIONS  UPON  FUGET  SOUND. 


73 


for  its  protection,  unless  provided  with  iiuiplo  iuul  upjiropriate  nieinis 
of  transportiition,  will  be  able  sini[>ly  to  i)ii)teet  itself,  nothing  more  ; 
indei'il,  nnirder  may  be  committed  in  si^^ht  witlioutthe  power  to  i)reveiit 
or  to  punish.  To  render  tllectual  any  ellbrts  for  the  security  of  the  set- 
tlers the  troops  must  have  steam  transportation.  Tliis  condition  is  in- 
dispensable and  can  not  be  toostrony;ly  urged.  The  nature  of  the  sound 
itself,  its  extent,  islands  more  or  less  inhabiteil,  its  shores  of  i)eninsu- 
liir  and  deep  imlentations  render  hind  communication  out  of  the  ques- 
tion. The  enemy  invariably  attack  by  sea.  Nor  is  it  sullicient  that  the 
trooi)a  should  be  provided  with  row-boats  and  sail-vessels  of  whatever 
speed.  The  large  war  canoes  of  the  north  propelled  by  fifty  i)addles 
can  bo  caught  by  no  such  means.  Even  could  our  whale-boats  succeed 
in  overtaking  them,  it  is  plain  that  their  crews  must  be  in  great  force 
to  have  anything  like  equality  in  fight.  Sails  are  out  of  the  qnestioa 
against  boats  which  are  independent  on  the  wiml.  It  is  matter  of  rec- 
ord lluiL  the  English  have  twice  sent  sloops  of-war  against  these  Indians, 
and  they  have  returned  effecting  absolutely  nothing,  leaving  the  enemy 
emboldened  and  dehaut.  Steam  is  the  only  sure  means,  and  this  can  be 
rendered  elfectual.  A  small  and  swift  steamer,  well  provided  with  boats 
and  boat  howitzers,  would  enable  a  single  garrison  to  sullice  for  the  com- 
l»lete  protection  of  the  whole  sound  by  reason  of  the  ease  with  which 
troops  could  be  moved  in  a  few  hours  to  any  part  of  its  waters.  Theie 
is  no  part  to  which  she  could  not  penetrate,  and  once  on  the  track  of 
the  canoes  there  is  no  escape  for  them.  The  Indians  are  well  aware  of 
this,  and  while  they  laugh  at  sails,  have  a  wholesome  fear  of  asteamboiir. 
Tliu  presence  of  one  well  armed  and  api)ointed  would  do  more  to  hold 
tliem  in  awe  than  a  thousatid  nu'ii.  A  saving  in  numbers  and  conse- 
(luent  expenses  would  ensue.  Fuel  is  abundant  and  cheai).  The  ves- 
sel might,  in  addition,  transport  all  the  supplies  for  the  sound  from  San 
l''ianeis«;o,  which  would  save  a  heavy  item  of  expenditure.  While  the 
adoiition  of  this  measure  is  beli<>ved  t<»  be  economical,  we  are  well  con- 
viiiced  of  its  necessity  and  efliciency.  The  position  to  be  oceui)ied  by 
iIh'  {;nrrison  should  boon  liellinghauj  Bay, at  any  ])oint  suitable  for  the 
wants  of  a  post.  The  chief  reason  for  this  selection  is  that  there  are 
our  nu)st  northerly  settlements, anil  the  enemy  in  a  hostile  raid  would 
have  the  post  and  steamer  in  his  rear  to  cut  oil"  his  retreat.  IJapid  in- 
lelligence  of  the  movements  of  the  iioithcrn  Indians  may  always  be  de- 
pendeil  on.  This  is  obtaini'd  from'  the  natives  of  tlii'  sound,  who  hold 
the  natives  of  the  north  in  great  dreati,  and  invariably  on  their  appear- 
ance  in  force  either  retreat  to  the  m<  ntains  or  seek  the  prott«tioii  of 
tlie  whites. 

Supplies  for  this  part  of  the  country  should  be  sent  directly  by  water. 
The  eommunieation  between  the  sound  and  ('ohnnbia  l.'iver  is  by  ilif- 
lieult  canoe  travel  on  tlu'  Cowlitz  Kiver  for  JO  mih'>,  thence  (jverland 
hy  a  road  which  in  wet  weatht  r  is  almost  impassable.  Trocjps  also 
destined  for  posts  on  the  sound  should  take  passage  dirtt tly  in  prefrr- 
(Mice  to  coming  by  the  river.  imi)ressed  by  the  im|ioi  lance  of  the  sub- 
ject, we  have  ilwelt  at  some  length  upon  th*;  Indians  ol  the  North,  the 
iielpless  eomlition  of  our  settlers,  and  the  nianile.<l  necessity  of  speedy 
iiieiisiMi's  for  their  secniity. 

We  regard  the  defense  of  these  waters,  considered  with  reference  to 
our  Ibieign  relations,  as  a  matter  of  scariely  less  iuiportr.uce.  The  iso- 
lated condition  ol  our  northwestern  frontier,  cut  off  as  it  is  from  the 
states  by  a  tlillicnlt  journey  of  many  days  across  vast  deserls  and 
mountains  almost  impassable,  render  it  necessary  that  it  should  jiossesa 
in  itself  ample  means  for  action.  It  is  easily  seen  from  the  maps  of  our 
S.  Ex.  1G5 0 


74 


FORTIFICATIONS  UPON  PUGET  SOUND. 


I'C 


(if 

•V. 

if. 

Hi. 

r- 


y 

to 

0- 

10 

ul 
»s 
II  r 


western  coast  that  the  sound  and  thu  straits  aro  the  only  available  points 
whicli  can  afVord  an  enemy  the  point  d'appni  for  an  attack  upon  San 
Francisco,  or  rcfiij^c,  wootl,  water,  coal,  ijrovisions,  tiinbei',  and  spars 
for  a  blockade  of  our  coast.  Possessing;'  this,  an  enemy  has  every  ad- 
vaiitai;e  either  I'or  {jroinjn  attack  or  for  continued  action.  TIk^  stionj? 
northwest  winds,  which  prevail  with  the  re^^uliirity  of  the  trades  for  tlio 
greater  part  of  the  year,  make  the  passage  of  sailin};  ships  only  from  six 
to  ten  days,  while  steamers  may  do  it  in  four.  Vancouver's  Island  is 
naturally  the  key  to  this  position,  ami  it  is  {jn-atly  to  be  re{,Mctled  tln't 
it  does  notbelonji:  to  us.  There  are,  however,  other  poiids  which  may 
bo  improved  to  be  nearly  as  ellective.  Of  these  may  be  mentioned  l*oi  t 
Discovery  andyclnpieen  Bay,  opposite  the  southern  end  of  Vantionver, 
and  also  the  Arcliipelaco.  This  ;,'roup  consists  of  the  islands  of  San 
Juan,  Lojiez,  Mull,  and  llaldiow,  the  larfjest,  l)esides  several  others  not 
vet  named.  '^Phey  are  so  situated  that  they  form  an  admirable  laud- 
locked  harbor  of  ample  size,  accessible  by  six  narrow  entrances  in  any 
wind  and  weather,  aud  capable  of  bein;;'  defended  ahnost  by  small-arms. 
As  a  naval  station  secured,  by  batteries,  this  position  commands  all  the 
interior  waters  and  the  approach  to  the  territoi'ies.  INnl  Discovery  or 
Sch(|ueen  Uay  as  a  naval  station,  sui)porUMl  by  fortilic.itious,  is  the  l>est 
position  l)(!lonj:inj;'  to  us  to  secure  our  comtuand  of  this  front  iei'. 

The  width  of  the  Straits;  of  I'^uca  (some  2.1  miles)  and  llu'  «'\lent  of 
the  sound  inns*,  of  course  render  the  Navy  the  chief  nu-ans  oi"  del'cnse; 
VmU.  it  must  be  acknowledi^ed  that,  altliou;;h  tin'  «i('<'upa!ion  of  tlu-se 
noiiits  by  land  and  sea  i'orces  would  obli^ic  an  enemy  to  a  .mciiler  dis- 
play of  force  on  this  coast  lli:iii  wouhl  otherwise  be  required  to  bJocUade 
or  atlack  < 'idirorniii,  no  system  of  defense  e:in  be  eoiiiplete  wiilioiit  the 
possession  ol  N'anconvcr.  So  liui;;' as  this  ri'uiains  wiili  the  f-n^lisli  it 
n»ay  be  made  the  means  oi'  paraly/in;;  our  wlude  we.^teiu  c(  ast.  It  has 
a  iertile  soil,  a  temperate  climate,  imnienso  resources  in  timber,  coal, 
and  water,  and  line  harbors,  '^riie  Aj^ricnllural  Company  has  b(\i;iin  its 
eoloni/.ation  ;  beef  and  mutton  aie  readily  obtain«'d,  as  well  as  bread- 
stull's.  'I'liese  considcriiliims  make  it  important  that  it  shonld  pass  into 
our  hands.  The  settlers  appear  di'sirons  that  it  should,  it  belongs, 
however,  to  the  llmlson  IJiiy  Company,  ami  as  yei  lCn;:land  seems  to 
have  taken  no  steps  eilhei-  for  its  assisiamu-,  defense,  c.olitiii/.ation  or 
;>()veniment.  It  is  true  that  the  o(.-cupation  of  I'oint  Detiiince  and  the 
aiil  «)f  a  naval  force  mi^ht  prevent  vir  ;;re;illy  retard  the  adv  ,ince  into 
a  ;d  occnpiition  of  the  teriitorv ,  but  oti  II  le  part  u\'  [Uv  enem.v  tins  vv<»ii!<l 
be  but  a  secondary  consideration;  the  ureal  impmlantH'  ol  lh«*«e 
waters,  in  a  military  point  ol'  \iew,  beinj;'  their  availability  as  a  ba.se  of 
o[)er;itions  for  attack  upon  lhe;;ieat  (;ily  oTSan  Fianciseo,  while  for  us, 
in  lime  of  war,  they  must  be  our  main  ndiance  for  linnber  ami  fuel. 
This  part  of  the  count ly  may  be  called,  iu)l  unaptly,  the  New  l)n;:land 
of  tli(>  NN'est,  from  ils  iiainral  characteristics,  and  we  ma.v  hope  fli:ii  at 
no  distant  d;iy  its  innneiise  resources  may  be  so  developed  as  to  warrant 
llie  name  in  all  senses.  In  the  mi'antime  our  northwestern  frontier, 
from  its  ]>eculiar  impoitam-e  and  isolated  con<lition,  retpiiit  s  espe(  iaily 
the  care,  and  attention  of  (»nr  (lovernnu'iit.  We  desire  heie  toexpri'ss 
our  iiiilebtt'dness  to  Mi',  (icoviic  (iibbs,  of  NViishinjiton  Tenilory,  who 
aecoiiip.inied  us  on  our  tour,  iov  mu(;h  aid  and  nnniy  valind>le  sn;^^iS- 
tions.  lie  is  a  •^i-nthnntn  well  l.nown  for  Ins  exact  information  and 
yreat  researches  inlo  the  lanj^iia^e,  habits,  and  character  of  the  Imliaiis, 
alid  for  his  extensive  explorations  of  the  country. 

\\  c  al.so  aeivnowled;;i'  the  dislin;;nislied  eivdily  with  which  vvi;  were 
welcomed  by  his  excellency  (Jovei  nor  Dt.u^his  ami  ilie  ollicers  of  tho 


f 


FORTIFICATIONS    UPON    PUGET    SOUND. 


75 


Hudson  Bay  (/ompany,  nixl  tlio  loadiiicss  with  wliicli  tlioy  snppliod  lis 
with  assistaaciiaiid  iiirunnatioii. 

t)ii  t)nr  rc'tmn  to  l''ort  VaimonviM',  with  but  liiiiiti'd  time,  at  our  dispo- 
Hal,  wo  (ionsidt'icd  our  joint  diilii's  as  having:  liccn  coiiiphMi'd,  Lieut- 
ant  Whitiii;;  riviiaiiiiiiff  at  this  post  iiiilil  the  (k'pajtiire  ol  th(>  steamer, 
while  Captain  Stonemaii  proeeeded  to  The  Dalles  to  cany  out  further 
instructions  of  the  coniuiaiMlin^;  general. 

Wo  returned  to  this  city  ou  thoL'Sth  ultimo. 

Gko.  Stonf.man, 

Captain  Scconil  Cavalry. 

\\.  n.  0.  wiiiTiNfi, 

F\r»t  Lieutenant,  Corps  JJnyinccrs. 
A  true  copy. 

E.  J).  TOWNSKND, 

Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

Headquarters  of  the  Army, 

Scptiinber  11,  1S05. 

"Respectfully  forwarded. 

JJy  command  of  Hvt.  LicutonantGeneral  Scott, 

Irwin  McDowell, 

A.A.G. 

Respectfully  submitted  to  the  Secretary  of  War. 

S.  Coopini, 

Adjutant  Ccncral 

Adjutant-General's  Offk-'e,  i-lj^r/no,  lS5j. 
Ofllcial. 

.I.e.  K  ELTON, 

Assistant  Adjutant  Ocncrah 
Adjutant-General's  Office,  May  8, 1888. 


